Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna cancelled over terror threat

Taylor Swift's Austrian concerts were cancelled after police thwarted a terrorist attack. Two young men have been detained. "If the radical Islamists had carried out their insane plans, it would have been a catastrophe of almost unimaginable proportions," reported the Kronen Zeitung portal. Three other suspected individuals are still being sought.

The target of the terrorist attack was to be one of Taylor Swift's three concerts in Vienna. The first was set to take place on Thursday. On the eve of the event, on Wednesday evening, the organisers decided to cancel all the star's performances, who had recently also performed in Warsaw.

"With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled concerts for the safety of everyone," announced the organiser, the concert agency Barracuda Music.

"If the radical Islamists had carried out their insane plans, it would have been a catastrophe of almost unimaginable proportions," informs the Austrian portal Kronen Zeitung.

On Wednesday morning, a 19-year-old was arrested in Ternitz, Lower Austria. The reason for his detention was the suspicion that the man, who just a few weeks ago pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. During the investigation, chemical substances were secured and are currently being examined. During the police operation in Ternitz, nearby residents were evacuated.

Also on Wednesday, the Austrian portal Kurier reported the arrest of a second person in connection with the Vienna plot. The second detainee is a 17-year-old. The portal also reported that three other suspects are still being sought.

"According to the police, both detainees radicalised themselves on the internet. They organised their insane act via an encrypted messenger," reports the Kronen Zeitung portal.

Initially, the Austrian police announced that they would reinforce security measures at Taylor Swift’s Vienna concerts. Ultimately, however, they decided to completely cancel the event's organisation.

Tickets for the three concerts were completely sold out. At each performance, around 65,000 fans of the American star were expected to attend. Ticket fees are to be refunded to buyers within 10 days. It has not been announced if the Austrian concerts will be rescheduled at a later date.

The Governor of Lower Austria, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, thanked the investigators for preventing the potential attack. However, she added that this situation is "a success for radical Islamists". "Every success of these vile terrorists is a setback for our civilised world - and that is unacceptable! Not an inch for these Islamic extremists!" she declared.

Source: Kronen Zeitung, Kurier