For Taylor Swift fans, the cancellation of the concerts in Vienna is a bitter disappointment. Several terror suspects have been arrested, and possible accomplices are reportedly still being sought.
According to Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the threat situation was “very serious” due to the allegedly planned terrorist attack on the concert of US singer Taylor Swift in Vienna. “Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the newly established DSN (Directorate of State Security and Intelligence) with foreign services, the threat was recognized early on, combated and a tragedy prevented,” Nehammer wrote on X on Thursday night.
For the fans, the cancellation of the concerts was “a bitter disappointment,” said Nehammer. But: “The situation surrounding the apparently planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious.” The investigations by the emergency services are continuing at full speed, added the Chancellor, after the arrest of two terror suspects in Vienna had become public. According to media reports, they are also looking for other suspects who are still on the run. The police did not want to confirm such information.
According to security authorities, a 19-year-old radicalized Islamist is said to be planning attacks and is targeting Swift’s concerts in Vienna this week. As a precaution, the three concerts were canceled less than 24 hours before the first planned performance of the globally popular singer.
“We live in a time in which violent means are being used to attack our Western way of life,” Nehammer wrote on X. “Islamist terrorism threatens security and freedom in many Western countries. This is precisely why we will not give up our values such as freedom and democracy, but will defend them even more vehemently. These values are the foundation of our society and make us resilient against extremism and terrorism. It is important to remain vigilant, stand together and take decisive action against Islamism.”
