Current:Home > reviewsSurpassing:Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack -MoneyStream
Surpassing:Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
TrendPulse View
Date:2025-04-08 14:02:29
VIENNA (AP) — Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna this week called them off on SurpassingWednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts.
Swift was scheduled to play at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour.
Event organizer Barracuda Music said in a post on its Instagram channel late Wednesday that “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.” It cited government officials’ “confirmation” of a planned attack at the stadium.
Earlier Wednesday, authorities said they had arrested two suspected extremists, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the upcoming concerts.
The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital.
Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s interior ministry, said authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack “and also that there is a focus by the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” the Austria Press Agency reported.
Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The Austrian citizen is believed to have become radicalized on the internet. Ruf said that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He didn’t give more details.
The cancelation came hours after authorities said security measures for the Swift concerts would be stepped up. Ruf said that there would be a special focus among other things on entry checks and concertgoers should plan a bit more time.
Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl said at the same time that, while any concrete danger had be en minimized, an abstract risk justified raising security.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said after the cancelation that the country’s police and intelligence service had “contributed everything to ensure safe events” and that the organizer made the decision to cancel the concerts, APA reported. He said there had been “close networking with foreign security authorities.”
Barracuda Music said that “all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.” The same wording was posted under the Vienna dates on Swift’s official website.
The Vienna stadium had been sold out for the planned concerts, APA reported, with an estimated 170,000 fans expected for the concerts in Austria.
Swift fans took to social media to express their devastation at missing out on one of the superstar’s shows. Some who posted on social network X lamented months of now-wasted efforts to make friendship bracelets and pick out fashionable outfits for the performance.
In 2017, an attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England killed 22 people. Suicide bomber Salman Abedi set up a knapsack bomb in Manchester Arena at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving. More than 100 people were injured. Abedi died in the explosion.
An official inquiry reported last year that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, didn’t act swiftly enough on key information and missed a significant opportunity to prevent the bombing, the deadliest extremist attack in the U.K. in recent years.
veryGood! (6216)
Related
- Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
- Maui confronts challenge of finding those unaccounted for after deadly fire
- USA TODAY Book Club: Join Richard E. Grant to discuss memoir 'A Pocketful of Happiness'
- Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky Share Glimpse Inside Family Vacation Amid Relationship Speculation
- NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
- Tropical Storm Hilary drenches Southern California, Spain wins World Cup: 5 Things podcast
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slams Facebook for blocking Canada wildfire news
- Firefighters battle apartment fire in Maryland suburb
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Welcome Baby No. 2: Get Lifted Up by Their Cutest Family Pics
Ranking
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Charlize Theron claps back at plastic surgery allegations: 'My face is changing and aging'
- Keke Palmer Shares Difficult Breastfeeding Journey With Her and Darius Jackson's Son
- Judge blocks Georgia ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender minors
- The seven biggest college football quarterback competitions include Michigan, Ohio State
- Charges dismissed in high-speed attempted murder case near Bismarck
- More hearings begin soon for Summit’s proposed CO2 pipeline. Where does the project stand?
- Green Bay police officer accused of striking man with squad car pleads not guilty
Recommendation
Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says emergency funds could be depleted within weeks
CBS News poll finds Trump's big lead grows, as GOP voters dismiss indictments
Nobody Puts These 20 Secrets About Dirty Dancing in a Corner
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Georgia sheriff pleads guilty to groping TV Judge Hatchett
Feds charge former oil trader in international bribery scheme involving Mexican officials
17 Dorm Essentials Every College Student Should Have