Taylor Swift concert terror plot in Austria foiled, 2 men arrested and shows will go on, police say
NBCAug 19
Taylor Swift Concerts in Vienna Canceled Over Terror Threat
Above: Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Volksparkstadion on July 23, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. Image copyright: Gregor Fischer/TAS24/Contributor/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Facts
Organizers have canceled three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria, after authorities said they had foiled a terror plot (inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS) group), which had planned to target the events.
This comes after three teenagers were arrested for allegedly planning a suicide attack at the concert venue. Investigators found chemicals, explosives, detonators, and counterfeit euros in the suspects' possession.
The Spin
Narrative A
While it may be disappointing for fans to have these eagerly awaited concerts canceled, the decision was made first and foremost with their safety in mind. With deadly attacks at concerts like those in Manchester and Vegas still in recent memory, authorities have decided to be better safe than sorry so as to protect the public. It's likely that a very serious threat was foiled — fans should be grateful that intelligence authorities thwarted it before it was too late.
Narrative B
It still needs to be clarified why the concerts were canceled. While the intention behind the threat seems clear, the explosive devices found in connection with the suspects would likely not have been ready in time to be used during this weekend's concerts. Additionally, before the cancellation was announced, Austrian authorities had announced that the concerts would take place, but with additional security measures. The public deserves to know the whole story, as this decision has caused widespread disappointment and inconvenience to those who planned to attend.