American singer Taylor Swift’s three concerts in Vienna this week have been called off due to an Islamist attack plot.
According to reports, the cancellation followed the government’s confirmation of a planned attack at the stadium.
The concert promoter, Barracuda Music, announced the decision late on Wednesday, and Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated that a tragedy had been averted.
In an Instagram post, the organizers stated, “Due to confirmation from government officials about a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we are forced to cancel the three scheduled shows to ensure everyone’s safety.”
They also stated that all tickets purchased for the concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday would be refunded.
Earlier, the government had verified the arrest of a 19-year-old supporter of the Islamic State (IS) group, who was suspected of planning an Islamist attack in the Vienna area, with a particular interest in Swift’s three upcoming shows.
Austria’s leading security official, Franz Ruf, announced at a press conference that the individual, who had recently sworn allegiance to IS, was arrested early Wednesday in Lower Austria, roughly an hour from the capital.
