Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Austria were canceled after authorities thwarted a planned terrorist attack targeting the concerts, with three suspects arrested in connection with an inquiry into the alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist plot.
Taylor Swift concerts cancelled after terror plot foiled by Vienna police.
One of the men arrested is a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who pledged allegiance to ISIS.https://t.co/XiGAUPW9qg— Mayte Chummia (@Maytechummia) August 9, 2024
The American pop superstar’s planned three concerts were canceled after Austrian authorities discovered and foiled an alleged plot by a 19-year-old to carry out an ISIS-inspired suicide attack in Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, which was scheduled to be the penultimate venue of Swift’s European leg of her Eras Tour before playing five nights at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, then moving onto Canada for the tour’s final dates in November and December.
“A planned attack on a concert event was successfully thwarted thanks to the timely intervention of the authorities. This success was made possible through extensive investigations that targeted not only the main suspects but also their surrounding network,” Austria’s interior ministry said regarding the foiled plot, adding that Austrian authorities are “taking decisive action against anyone who might be involved in terrorist activities or exhibits radical tendencies.”
The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots from the small town of Ternitz, was arrested along with a 17-year-old youth, and the two reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, according to the Austrian interior ministry. The two primary suspects are in pre-trial detention and showed noticeable changes in their behavior before their arrests.
I’m sure his friends are also just as nice.
— Brix (@BrixCity17) August 9, 2024
An 18-year-old Iraqi national was also arrested in connection to the inquiry into the planned terrorist attack. Although the Iraqi teenager was “not currently linked directly to the planned attack,” according to the Austrian interior ministry, the third suspect was arrested under the “broad scope” of the ongoing investigation into the plot.
Franz Ruf, Austria’s director general for public security, said the 19-year-old main suspect quit his job on July 25th, saying he had “something big planned” and he planned to detonate an explosive device within the concert venue. The 17-year-old suspect broke up with his girlfriend, while a 15-year-old was held and questioned but has since been released.
Authorities found explosive devices, detonators, and chemicals at the 19-year-old suspect’s home, along with extensive Islamic State propaganda material, 21,000 Euros in counterfeit money, machetes, knives, and anabolic steroids.
Most teenage boys go to concerts to meet girls not blow them up. These kids are different….
— Steven (@BannedbyBiden) August 9, 2024
Many fans were heartbroken and disappointed after the Eras Tour shows in Vienna were cancelled following the plot's discovery.
“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, an event organizer in Vienna, posted on Instagram.
Taylor Nation, an Instagram account run by Swift’s team, also reposted the message to its story. The post also said that all tickets would be refunded and ticketholders can visit a website to request a refund.
Her website also appears to have confirmed the cancellation, with the Vienna shows under the “tour” tab now having a note accompanying the date and the location information.
"*All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days," it said.
Great way for the elites to continue the race wars by getting all her fans hating middle eastern's too. Like a passport in the rubble of the world trade center. Genius playing people like they do
— Meg (@Meg_BunchONmbrs) August 11, 2024
Swift, who rarely cancels shows, has not yet posted a statement or confirmed the cancellations.
Ina-Christin Stiglitz, the main suspect’s lawyer, sought to play down the seriousness of the alleged terrorist plot, saying the 19-year-old teenager was "playing with ideas.”
"It interested him," Stiglitz said, suggesting her client had not intended to carry out a serious attack.
"He says the bomb wasn't of good enough quality; it wouldn't have worked," the lawyer added.
