Swift's Vienna gigs called off due to terrorist plot

Taylor Swift's three concerts in Vienna that were scheduled to take place from Aug 8 to 10 were cancelled after the Austrian government confirmed a planned attack at the stadium, the organiser announced late on Aug 7.

Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in a post on social media platform X: "Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the newly established DSN with foreign services, the threat was identified early on, combated and a tragedy prevented." DSN is the Directorate General for Public Security, the governing body of general law enforcement in Austria.

"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," local promoter Barracuda.music said in a post on Instagram, adding that all tickets would be automatically refunded.

Austrian police on Aug 7 detained two people suspected of plotting attacks on concerts, Mr Franz Ruf, director-general for public security, said at a news conference on Aug 7 evening.

"During our investigations, we identified preparatory actions and noted that the 19-year-old suspect had a particular focus on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna," Mr Ruf said, adding that the suspect, an Austrian citizen, had pledged allegiance to militant/terror group ISIS.