US star Taylor Swift's three shows in Vienna scheduled for this week were canceled on Wednesday after Austrian authorities made arrests over a plot to attack the concert, organizers said.
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of a 19-year-old Islamic State sympathizer for planning an attack in the Vienna region, warning that he was "focused" on three upcoming Taylor Swift concerts.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehamer said that "a tragedy was prevented".
"Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the newly established DSN with foreign services, the threat was identified early," said Nehamer on the X network.
Franz Ruf, director general of public security, said at a press conference on Wednesday evening that Austrian police had arrested two people suspected of planning attacks on concerts.
"With the confirmation of the government officials about the planned terrorist attack on the Ernst Hapel stadium, we have no other choice but to cancel the three scheduled performances for the sake of everyone's safety", announced the company Barracuda music.
Ruff said that during the investigation, "preparatory actions were identified and it was noticed that the 19-year-old suspect was particularly focused on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna."
He added that the suspected Austrian citizen had sworn allegiance to the "Islamic State".
The police searched the apartment of one of the suspects in Ternica, in Lower Austria, and are analyzing items from the house. Ruf said that chemical substances were seized from the suspect's house.
Another person believed to have been in contact with the suspect was arrested in Vienna.
The organizers of the Taylor Swift concert stated that all those who bought tickets will be refunded. At the concerts scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, around 65.000 spectators were expected each day.
Bonus video:
