Wenslus Murape
VIENNA. — Taylor Swift fans are ‘devastated’ after she was forced to cancel her upcoming concerts in Vienna, Austria, amid an alleged terror threat.
The singer, 34, cancelled three shows that were part of her successful Eras Tour, after two suspects were arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack.
The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital — according to Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior.
Taylor was due to perform at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion on August 8, 9, and 10 and security measures for the shows were set to be stepped up — before the cancellation.
Her fans were left ‘heartbroken’ after spending hundreds of pounds on tickets, hotels and travel, but thanked Taylor for ‘keeping them safe’.
One emotional fan wrote on X: “I am absolutely devastated. Flying across the Atlantic tomorrow to… not see @taylorswift13! I am glad everyone will be safe, but this is the worst possible news and I am just inconsolable.
“Love you Taylor. Thank you for always being there for me with your music. And thank you for keeping us safe. We will meet each other someday and it will be enchanting.
“One year and a month planning everything just for this to happen unexpectedly. I feel sorry for Taylor too. This is the worst case scenario for everyone.
“I am heartbroken right now that the shows in Vienna got cancelled. I understand the reason behind it but still, it was my only chance to see Taylor.”
Taylor previously expressed fear of an attack at one of her concerts in a 2019 essay for Elle, following the end of her Reputation tour.
Discussing her ‘biggest fear’, she shared that it was trying to keeping her fans safe on tour.
“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 stated.
“There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”
The Manchester Arena bombing she was referring to took place when a suicide bomber killed 22 people on May 22, 2017, after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.
Meanwhile the Vegas shooting took place on October 1, 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of over 22,000 at the Route 91 Harvest music festival. More than 60 people lost their lives. — Mailonline
Online Reporter