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Taylor Swift’s concerts in Austria have been canceled after authorities announced the arrest of two people accused of planning a terrorist attack in Vienna, with one of them targeting the musician’s stadium shows as and a possible goal.
Wednesday, Show organizer Barracuda Music announced on its website that Swift’s three sold-out shows starting Thursday at Ernst Happel Stadium have been canceled as a precaution.
One of those arrested was a 19-year-old Austrian “of North Macedonian origin” who “lived with his family in Ternitz”, south of Vienna, Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported. He was arrested “under strong suspicion of terrorism,” the newspaper wrote.
Franz Ruf, director of public security at Austria’s Interior Ministry, said authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack “and also that there is a focus … on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna” by the 19-year-old. , the Austrian Press Agency said.
Ruf said the suspect is an Austrian citizen who had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group and is believed to have become radicalized on the Internet. Ruf said the chemicals had been secured and were being evaluated, but did not provide details.
The other suspect was arrested in Vienna, according to the newspaper report. City officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In 2017, a bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, killed 22 people and injured more than 100. A suicide bomber planted a backpack device in Manchester Arena at the end of the concert as thousands of young fans leave.
Last week in Southport, England, three children died in a knife attack during a Swift-themed dance class. A 17-year-old boy was arrested and prosecutors have not released a motive.
“These were just kids at a dance class,” Swift wrote in a statement on Instagram. “I am at a complete loss as to how I will ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.