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Taylor Swift concerts in London: Are the five shows at Wembley Stadium still on?
Two people have been arrested in Vienna, Austria, after authorities foiled a possible terrorist attack at a Taylor Swift concert. Here’s the details.
The remaining European dates of Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour have been thrown into jeopardy following confirmation of a thwarted terrorist attack at one of her shows in Austria.
Two men, one of them believed to be a 19-year-old, have been arrested for planning an alleged terrorist attack at one of Taylor Swift’s concerts during the American singer’s three-night run at Ernst-Happel stadion in Vienna.
Authorities have not yet revealed the exact plan of the detainees. However, at a press conference held on Wednesday by Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl, it was revealed that the two men had met and radicalized each other online, and that they had specific and detailed plans on how to carry out an attack.
Chemical substances at flat of Taylor Swift show terror suspect
The arrest was carried out with the help of Austria’s Cobra unit, which is similar to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team. After the arrest was made, authorities reported finding “chemical substances” at the residence of the 19-year-old, who had allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS. An investigation is underway to determine whether the substances were used to make explosives.
Taylor Swift had three dates lined up to perform at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of the international leg of her Eras Tour’. About 85,000 fans were expected to attend each of the three concerts.
Taylor Swift’s Vienna shows cancelled by promoters
Austrian authorities had originally expected three three shows to go ahead as planned but it emerged late on Wednesday that Barracuda Music, the promoters for the Austrian leg of the tour, have decided to cancel the concerts, putting the public’s safety first.
A statement read: “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. For more information please visit@ https://www.oeticket.com/help/updates”.
Will Taylor Swift’s Wembley shows go ahead as planned?
The Cruel Summer singer played three sell-out shows at London’s Wembley stadium in June and is set to return for a further five dates from 15 August to 20 August. All five nights have sold out.
So far there have been no official updates from the venue or the promoters, regarding Swift’s London shows and whether they could also be cancelled. The English capital is one of several cities currently on high alert in the wake of mass civil unrest across the UK, due to various diverse and complex issues.
The cancellation of the Vienna concerts comes in the wake of a brutal attack on young Taylor Swift fans at a dance class in the UK. Three young girls died of stab wounds and eight others along with two adults were hospitalized. All of those who required hospital treatment were discharged this week.
The perpetrator was named as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, born in Cardiff, Wales to Rwandan parents. He has been charged with three counts of murder, eight counts of attempted murder and carrying a bladed article. His court case is set for next year.