By Natalia Rueda 
Vienna, Austria – The city came to a standstill this week as authorities released troubling information about possible terrorist attacks during pop star Taylor Swift’s scheduled concerts Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Extremist groups such as the Islamic State had reportedly planned an attack inspired by the singer’s presence in the city. This news undoubtedly sent shockwaves through Austrian society and left Swift’s fans shocked and disappointed.
The Ernst Happel Stadium, where the concerts were to take place, became the epicenter of insecurity after the announcement of the arrest of 3 individuals suspected of planning a terrorist attack in the vicinity of the venue. The investigation revealed that one of the 19-year-old suspects was in possession of bomb-making materials, increasing the severity of the threat and endangering the lives of thousands of people.
At a press conference, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner revealed that one of the suspects confessed his intention to “kill as many people as possible.” This statement further shocked the city and generated fear and uncertainty among citizens and Swift’s fans.
The decision to cancel the concerts was made at a time when thousands of fans from all over the world were already in Vienna, ready to witness their idol’s show. The news of the cancellation caused an eerie silence in the city, with some 190,000 people anxiously waiting to enter the stadium and more planning to watch the concert from outside.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has yet to make any statement on the matter, but her fan base continues to show their unwavering love and support for the singer. As the affected fans begin to return home, the city of Vienna is facing the reality of having avoided a potential terrorist attack thanks to the swift action of law enforcement.
With information from AFP