TAYLOR Swift has shared a statement about the ISIS terrorist plot in Vienna that forced her to cancel three sold-out shows.
Earlier this month, two people were arrested after planning an attack on the Ernest Happel Stadium, where the superstar had shows scheduled for that weekend.
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Taylor shared that she was “devastated” in a statement nearly two weeks after canceling the three sold-out show due to the foiled plot.
“We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” Barracuda Music, the event organizers, posted on Instagram Stories.
“All tickets will be automatically refunded.”
One of the suspects was a 19-year-old man who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS in July, per the New York Post.
Both men, who allegedly radicalized themselves online, had plans to attack Swift’s shows in Vienna, Austria.
“A concrete threat has been averted. The suspected perpetrator was focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. Preparatory actions were detected,” said Austrian Director General for Public Safety Franz Ruf.
Following the arrests, police found chemicals and investigators are trying to determine if they could have been used to build a bomb.
CANCELED SHOWS
Swift was scheduled to perform at the stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the international portion of her massive sell-out The Eras Tour.
Before the cancelations, Ruf said security at the shows would be increased including K-9 units, bomb squads, and units with heavy weapons, per NBC News.
The three dates were expected to have 65,000 fans a day with 10,000 to 15,000 people outside of the area listening in, cops said.
In 2019, Swift said a terrorist attack at one of her shows was her “biggest fear,” per an essay for Elle.
“After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert shooting, I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” she shared.
“There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”
‘I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE’
Fans were shocked to learn about the terrorist threat and canceled shows.
The superstar rarely cancels shows and is known for performing even when she has a cold.
One fan shared how scary and sad they were to learn the news on X.
“I was terrified when I read the first news about a planned terrorist attack but now when we have official news I can’t believe that this is really happening, I mean obviously safety comes first but still I am so sad and mad that things like these happen… I was supposed to be there,” they said under a post from The Eras Tour Updates.
Other users questioned the legitimacy of the cancelations before she spoke out.
“Are we absolutely sure this is confirmed?” fans wrote.
Some expressed their sympathies for those who lost their chance to see the star.
“Too bad, so many people traveled to attend the shows and now their dreams are crushed. Hope they manage to see her live someday,” another shared.
“What a horrible situation! And I feel so bad for everyone that had tickets!” wrote a third.
“My heart is breaking I’m so sorry to all the Vienna people,” a person expressed.
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