Taylor Swift Fans Upset as Austria Eras Tour Canceled Due to Terror Plot Threat

Fans of Taylor Swift are expressing their sorrow online after the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows in Austria. The cancellations came following the thwarting of an alleged terror plot linked to ISIS by local authorities.

Swifties, as the fans are affectionately known, shared their heartbreak on social media. Many had invested significant amounts of money on travel, accommodation, and other expenses in one of Europe’s priciest cities, Vienna.

Annmarie Timmins, a journalist from the United States who had traveled to Vienna for the Thursday concert, recounted how she and her husband were sitting at a subway station after dinner when they got the unfortunate news.

“I can’t even believe it,” Timmins said. “There was a girl with her mom who looked so sad – even more than me. I gave her one of my bracelets. I wanted to hug her.”

Swifties like Sarah, who had been eagerly waiting to see Taylor Swift in her home country since she was nine, were especially disheartened. “I’m now 25… to have all this taken away by some men being so fueled by hatred for no reason at all makes me so beyond angry I can’t put it into words,” Sarah posted.

For others, like Caroline, missing the concert was a personal blow. “I won’t be able to see Taylor again with these resale prices so I am pretty devastated,” she said. “This was supposed to be my ‘you beat cancer’ trip so losing it hurts.”

The situation escalated when Austrian authorities confirmed that a 19-year-old suspect had been arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna. The suspect had allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS, according to Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s Interior Ministry. Authorities found chemical substances and technical devices during a search of the suspect’s house.

A second person was arrested in the Austrian capital, though officials did not confirm reports of additional suspects being sought.

“We were aware of preparatory actions for a possible attack and also that the 19-year-old perpetrator had a focus on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” Ruf stated. The suspect is believed to have been radicalized online. Authorities are still evaluating the chemical substances secured from the residence.

For Fredrikke Blekastad from Norway, this marked the second time her plans to see Taylor Swift were disrupted. Previously, the pandemic had thwarted her first attempt. “We had planned to get up really early, stand in line and get to the very front and see her,” she told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, but “nothing will come of it either.”

Other Norwegian fans, Jenny Moltubakk and Marie Hov Aanæs, also shared their disappointment with NRK. “At first we were in shock when we saw the message, I didn’t really believe it,” Moltubakk said. “It’s very strange when something you’ve been looking forward to for a whole year is suddenly canceled.”

“I am very disappointed, to be honest, but I understand that safety is the most important thing,” she added.

Aanæs took the disappointment in stride, quoting Swift’s 2014 hit “Shake It Off.” She told NRK, “We are just very grateful that security was tightened enough for them to unravel this.”

Fans left tributes by hanging beaded bracelets on a “friendship bracelet tree” in Vienna, symbolizing their united heartbreak and resilience.

Source: AFP, APA