All three of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna this week have been called off after officials announced arrests over an apparent terrorist plot to launch an attack.
Swift, 34, was scheduled to play at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour.
Event organiser Barracuda Music confirmed the cancellations on Wednesday evening. In a statement shared on Instagram, a spokesperson wrote: “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.
“All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.”
Earlier on Wednesday, authorities said they had arrested two men, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the upcoming concerts.
A 19-year-old Austrian citizen was arrested in Ternitz, a town south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital.
Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf 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”.
Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group and is believed to have become radicalised on the internet.
The cancellation came hours after authorities said security measures for the three Taylor Swift concerts would be stepped up, including stricter entry checks.
The Vienna stadium had been sold out for the planned concerts, with an estimated 170,000 fans expected to attend.
Next week, Taylor Swift is scheduled to return to the UK to play five more nights at Wembley Stadium from Thursday, August 15. The singer previously played three gigs at the London stadium in June.
Last week, she said she was “completely in shock” after the killing of three young girls in Southport at a dance class themed around the pop star.
She said she was at a “complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families”.
A group of Swift fans have since raised more than £360,000 to help the families affected by the attack.
The JustGiving page, set up by a group called Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook Group, is raising the funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where many of the victims have been treated.