Taylor Swift Vienna concerts cancelled due to planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium

Taylor Swift concerts have been cancelled in Vienna after government officials were made aware of a planned terrorist attack.

It is understood that a variety of chemicals and other substances were found at a Vienna residence after police raided a property.

Two people have been arrested over the planned attack, with authorities investigating ISIS links.

The event was planned to take place at Ernst Happel Stadium in the Austrian capital on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her global Eras Tour.

Barracuda Music, the organiser of the event, took to Instagram to confirm the cancellation, citing ‘everyone’s safety’.

“Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Vienna Shows Cancelled Due to Government Officials Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack,” the organiser wrote. “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.”

Earlier Wednesday, authorities said they had arrested two suspected extremists, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as upcoming concerts.

The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital.

Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s interior ministry, said that authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack “and also that there is a focus by the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” the Austria Press Agency reported.

Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.

The Austrian citizen is believed to have become radicalised on the internet. Ruf said that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He didn’t give more details.

- With AP