From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Taylor Swift Vienna concerts canceled over planned Islamist attack
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Taylor Swift’s three concerts in Vienna have been canceled after government confirmation of a planned attack at the stadium, the organizer say.
“With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” Barracuda.music says in a post on Instagram, adding all tickets will be automatically refunded.
Austrian police earlier detained two people suspected of plotting attacks on concerts, Austria’s top security chief Franz Ruf told a press conference.
Ruf said one 19-year-old suspect had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State terror group.
“We have established corresponding preparatory acts and also that there is a focus of the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” Ruf said.
About 65,000 spectators had been expected at each show scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The man, who had pledged his allegiance to IS “in recent weeks,” was detained in Lower Austria about an hour from the capital early today, Ruf said.
He said chemical substances had been seized at the suspect’s home.
A second person believed to have been in contact with the suspect was arrested in Vienna.
The Times of Israel Community.