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Topics: Celebrity, Taylor Swift, World News, Crime, Terrorism
Yasmeen Hamadeh
Topics: Celebrity, Taylor Swift, World News, Crime, Terrorism
Two men have been arrested in relation to alleged planned attacks across major events in Austria, including Taylor Swift's upcoming Eras Tour concerts in Vienna.
One of the men arrested by Austrian federal and state police on Wednesday morning (7 August) was a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, who had allegedly pledged his allegiance to terror group ISIS.
The second suspect was arrested on Wednesday afternoon.
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According to director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl, both suspects were allegedly radicalized through the internet and had detailed how they planned to carry out an attack.
NBC News reports that when the 19-year-old suspect was taken into custody, a bomb squad at the scene found chemical substances. Investigators are currently still trying to determine if these substances could have been used to make a bomb, authorities shared.
Austria's Cobra unit, which is akin to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, reportedly assisted with the arrests.
Swift was slated to perform at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as she continues the international leg of her so far year-long Eras Tour.
Although Austrian police officials previously shared that there were no plans to cancel the concerts after they 'minimized' the threat of danger, the concert organizers, Barracuda Music, have since confirmed that all three concerts will be canceled.
"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," the organizers wrote in a post on Instagram.
"All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 days," they added.
Police had initially shared that in response to the threat they would be increasing and tightening security measures at the concerts, particularly at their entrance checks.
K-9 units, bomb squads, tactical vehicles, and a heavy weapons team were planned to be present for extra security measures.
Authorities also warned fans that these added measures may cause delays and increase wait times, urging them to arrive early.
Swift's Eras shows in Vienna were expected to draw 65,000 attendees per day, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans outside of the arena police shared.
The singer is yet to address the situation as investigations continue.
UNILAD has contacted Swift's reps for comment.
This is a developing story and updates will be posted accordingly.