Just a week after multiple young children died in a mass stabbing in Britain outside a Taylor Swift–themed dance workshop, three dates of the Eras Tour have been canceled due to a threat of terrorism.
Swift was scheduled to perform for three nights — August 8, 9, and 10 — in Vienna, Austria, before a plot to attack the concert venue was discovered on August 6. The investigation included the evacuation of part of a Vienna neighbourhood and the discovery of “chemical substances,” which are currently being tested. Per People, authorities have arrested two young men in connection to the plot who were radicalised online and allegedly pledged their “allegiance” to the terrorist group ISIS, though it’s unclear if there is any actual connection between the plotters and the group. The plans for an attack at the concert venue were “detailed,” per reports, though authorities haven’t yet notified the public of just what they were.
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Initially, there were plans to continue with the shows, with increased security at the venue, but the local event organizers quickly changed course and issued a statement canceling all three concerts. Ticket holders will receive full refunds.
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At the time of this writing, Taylor Swift herself had not commented, though the account @TaylorNation (basically the official fan news source) had shared the announcement. Swift’s website also notes that ticket holders for the Vienna shows will receive refunds.
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Online, Swifties collectively grieved the cancelation of the shows and the fact that such evil could disrupt a potentially life-affirming event but generally agreed that safety comes first.
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Swift is still set to play five shows in London later this month before returning to North America for the final leg of the tour, which wraps at the end of the year.
This article originally appeared in GLAMOUR (US).
