Taylor Swift shows in Vienna canceled over attack threat

A 19-year-old Austrian citizen who had made "an oath of allegiance" to ISIS was arrested

(Image credit: Thomas Niedermueller / TAS24 / Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

published 8 August 2024

What happened

Three upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna were canceled Wednesday over an apparent terrorist plot. Authorities said two suspected extremists had been arrested, at least one of whom was believed to be planning attacks on large-scale events in the Austrian capital, including Swift's sold-out stadium shows.

"We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone's safety," event organizer Barracuda Music said on Instagram. Some 170,000 people had been expected to attend the three concerts, starting Thursday. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer called the cancelation a "bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria," but also a potential "tragedy prevented."

Earlier Wednesday, Austria's Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf said police arrested a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who had made "an oath of allegiance" to the Islamic State terrorist group in July and was focused "on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna." Police searching his home found undisclosed chemical substances.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.