Taylor Swift fans gathered in the streets of Vienna on Thursday. Getty Images Swifties didn’t let the cancellation of Swift’s concerts bring them down in Vienna on Thursday. Getty Images
Despite the scary situation, the would-have-been concertgoers seemed to be in great spirits while dancing and mingling with other fans.
“People were crying, holding hands, singing along softly,” one woman told CNN of the scene. “It was such a beautiful moment, a pocket of beauty amidst the disappointment and anger.”
A few businesses also banded together to uplift the heartbroken fans . Several hotels offered free streamings of the “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” documentary while some restaurants and bars gave out free or heavily discounted food.
The famed Albertina Museum, one of Central Europe’s largest museums for modern art, also allowed ticketholders free entry for the weekend.
Fans, pictured in Vienna Thursday, sang songs and traded friendship bracelets. AP Everyone seemed to be in great spirits as they mingled and celebrated their love for the singer in the streets on Thursday. AP
“Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Vienna shows canceled due to government officials confirmation of planned terrorist attack,” an Instagram statement read on Wednesday. “With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”
Austrian authorities also announced the arrest of a 19-year-old and a 17-year-old suspect, whom they believe have connections to ISIS.
On Thursday, the head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, revealed the older suspect planned “to carry out an attack” at Swift’s concert “using explosives and knives.”
One woman called the community-lead event, pictured above, “a pocket of beauty.” REUTERS Fans learned Swift’s three concerts in Vienna were canceled on Wednesday, prompting the gathering the following day, pictured above. REUTERS
“His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert either today or tomorrow,” Haijawi-Pirchner said, per NBC News .
The teens reportedly planned to drive a bomb-filled car into the crowd, using self-made explosives and machetes to kill as many concertgoers as possible.
The 19-year-old had chemical substances — such as hydrogen peroxide — and detonators in his home, which he reportedly shared with his parents.
The pop star has yet to speak out about the situation. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
One of her concerts in the Austrian city was the target of a terrorist attack, authorities announced Wednesday. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
Meanwhile, the younger suspect was reportedly recently hired as security for the concert venue.
The two men are believed to have been radicalized online by ISIS. Investigators reportedly found extensive material related to the Islamic State and al Qaeda while searching the 17-year-old’s residence.
A 15-year-old was also arrested, however, his role in their sinister plans has not been revealed.
Swift has yet to speak out about the horrifying situation. In 2019, the 14-time Grammy winner admitted her “biggest fear” was a violent attack happening at one of her concerts.
Three people have since been arrested in connection to the foiled plot. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management The 19-year-old ringleader reportedly told authorities he planned to use “explosives and knives” in the attack. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
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