Taylor Swift cancels three Vienna concerts over terrorist attack threat

Police in Austria arrested a 19-year-old main suspect who had pledged an oath of allegiance to ISIS

Taylor Swift performs on the first night of The Eras Tour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on February 16. EPA

Three Taylor Swift concerts due to take place in Vienna this week have been cancelled after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to attack an event in the area.

As part of her huge successful Eras Tour, Swift was scheduled to play at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Barracuda Music, the organiser of the event, said in a post on Instagram late on Wednesday: “We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”

It quoted government officials' “confirmation” of a planned attack at the stadium.

Earlier Wednesday, authorities said they had arrested two suspected extremists, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area.

The main suspect, 19, was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital.

Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s Interior Ministry, said authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack, “and also that there is a focus by the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna", the Austria Press Agency reported.

Mr Ruf said the main suspect had pledged an oath of allegiance to ISIS.

The Austrian citizen is believed to have become radicalised on the internet.

Mr Ruf said that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He did not give more details.

Taylor Swift's Eras tour - in pictures

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  Taylor Swift performs on stage at Lumen Field on July 22 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images

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  Swift performs at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on July 28. Getty Images

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  Swift makes a heart gesture with her hands during night one of her six-night residency at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Getty Images

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  Swift performs with the band HAIM in Los Angeles. Getty Images

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  Swift performs on stage for the opening night of The Eras Tour at State Farm Stadium on March 17 in Glendale, Arizona. AFP

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  The city of Glendale was ceremonially renamed Swift City for March 17-18 in honour of The Eras Tour. AFP

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  Swift takes the stage at SoFi Stadium on August 3. Getty Images

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  Swift has put together sprawling set lists of more than 40 songs during her Eras Tour. AFP

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  Swift performs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 31. AFP

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  Swift's tour is scheduled to run until November 2024. AFP

The cancellation came hours after authorities said security measures for the Swift concerts would be increased.

“All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days,” Barracuda Music said.