VIENNA (AP) — Taylor Swift fans are distraught over the cancellations of three sold-out Eras Tour shows in Austria, after authorities foiled a suspected plot to stage an attack in Vienna.
Fans, known as Swifties, took to social media to express their dismay at missing one of the superstar’s shows. Some posting on the social platform X lamented months of now wasted effort making friendship bracelets and picking out fashionable outfits for the gig. Many spent thousands of euros on travel, hotels and food in one of Europe’s most expensive capitals.
Annmarie Timmins, a journalist who traveled from the United States to Thursday’s show, said she and her husband were waiting for the subway after dinner when they heard the news.
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “There was a girl with her mother who looked so sad — sadder than I was. I gave her one of my bracelets. I wanted to hug her.”
The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State, according to Franz Ruf, the director of public security at the Austrian Interior Ministry. Chemical substances and technical devices were found in the suspect’s home.
A second person was arrested in the Austrian capital. Several Austrian media reported on Thursday that more suspects were being sought — something police did not officially confirm.
Ruf said authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack “and also that the 19-year-old perpetrator is targeting Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” the Austrian Press Agency reported.
The Austrian citizen was said to have been radicalized on the internet. Ruf said the chemicals had been secured and were being evaluated. He did not provide further details, such as the names of the suspects, in line with Austrian privacy laws.
For Fredrikke Blekastad, a Swift fan from Norway, it was the second time she tried to attend a concert. The first time it was canceled due to the pandemic.
“We had planned to get up really early, line up and get to the very front to see her,” Blekastad told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, but “that didn’t happen either.”
Other Norwegian fans, Jenny Moltubakk and Marie Hov Aanæs, told NRK about their disappointment.
“We were shocked at first when we saw the news, I didn’t really believe it,” Moltubakk told the broadcaster. “It’s very strange when something you’ve been looking forward to for a whole year is suddenly cancelled.”
“I’m very disappointed, honestly, but I understand that safety is the most important thing,” she added.
Aanæs said that “we should do ‘Shake It Off,'” to quote Swift’s 2014 hit. “We’re actually just really grateful that security was tightened up enough to be able to solve this,” Aanæs told NRK.
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Dazio reported from Berlin. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, and Jan Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.
Philipp Moritz Jenne and Stefanie Dazio, The Associated Press