Taylor Swift 'Swifties' rally in Vienna streets after concert cancellations over terror threat

Taylor Swift fans took to the streets of Vienna in large numbers to sing her songs and express their defiance, just a day after her concerts were canceled due to a plot to attack them.

Hundreds of Swifties held an impromptu outdoor gathering to cope with the disappointment of missing the US superstar's record-breaking Eras tour.

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They also expressed their understanding of the decision to cancel the stadium shows scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and voiced their gratitude to the police.

Courtesy: AP

Austrian authorities announced that they had thwarted a plan by an Islamic State group supporter to carry out a suicide attack.

A British fan named Becky described feeling "sombre but also excited by the atmosphere" on Corneliusgasse, a street whose name is similar to Cornelia Street in New York, after which Swift named one of her songs.

"It's a really strange situation and I think the ultimate thing we feel is just grateful that we're safe and that everyone else is safe," she told BBC News. "A bit of a mixed bag of emotions."

Courtesy: Reuters

She said the cancellation made her feel "probably the most disappointed about anything I've ever been in my life", but she agreed the decision had been made "for the right reasons".

She was among nearly 200,000 fans who had planned to attend the three concerts.

Another fan, Jessica Holroyd, had traveled to the city from Bristol.

"I found out the news when I was in the airport, and I had a bit of a cry in the airport toilets," she said.

"It's all quite emotional. I've been a fan since I was 15 and I'm 32 soon, so it's just quite devastating, really."

Ms Holroyd said the gigs were "such a momentous occasion for loads of people".

"It feels like it might be the only opportunity to see her, particularly the Eras tour, so it just feels like a huge loss."