Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna cancelled due to terrorist threat

Taylor Swift's three concerts in Vienna have been cancelled due to a terrorist threat. The organisation behind the concerts, Barracuda Music, made the announcement via Instagram on Wednesday evening.

Austrian police on Wednesday arrested two people who were planning an attack in the city. They were allegedly targeting Taylor Swift's concerts. The US pop star was due to perform at the Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

"We therefore have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone's safety," Barracuda Music said. Tickets will be refunded.

While Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer said he understood that the cancellation was a "bitter disappointment" for Taylor Swift fans, he stressed that "the situation surrounding the planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious".

"The situation surrounding the planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious"

"Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the [Austrian intelligence service] DSN with foreign services, the threat was recognised and countered at an early stage and a tragedy was avoided," Nehammer said.

Multiple suspects

Chemicals were seized from one of the suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian. He was allegedly radicalised over the internet and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist organisation a few weeks ago, an Austrian Interior ministry official said. He was arrested on Wednesday morning in Ternitz, 75km southwest of Vienna.

A second person was arrested in Vienna on Wednesday afternoon. Austrian media report that other suspects, who are currently on the run, are still being sought, but police have not confirmed this.

^{© PHOTO JEFF PACHOUD / AFP}