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Shocked EastEnders fans slam 'insensitive' bus crash plot in light of Berlin terror attack

BBC
BBC

EastEnders fans have criticised the soap over an “insensitive” scene where a bus crashes into a market just a month after a terror attack in Berlin.

Monday night's shocking episode saw a double decker bus smash through market stalls in busy Albert Square – with up to 11 characters now fighting for their lives.

But viewers hit out at BBC producers for “bad taste” in light of the 12 people who died when a truck was deliberately driven into a Berlin Christmas market in December.

Taking to Twitter to vent their astonishment, one said: “Such bad taste airing that after the recent terrorist attack on the market in Germany...awful.”

Cliffhanger: a doubledecker bus crashed through Albert Square at the end of Monday's episode (BBC)
Cliffhanger: a doubledecker bus crashed through Albert Square at the end of Monday's episode (BBC)

Another, Selena Cochrane added: “How disgusting ramming the market with a bus after what happened in Germany . Disrespectful not a good move poor taste.”

Many compared the horrific scene, in which the bus driver suffers a heart attack and accidentally crashes, to the Isis-inspired terrorist attacks on Berlin and also Nice.

Carnage: A truck driven intentionally into a Berlin Christmas market killed 12 people in December (Markus Schreiber/AP)
Carnage: A truck driven intentionally into a Berlin Christmas market killed 12 people in December (Markus Schreiber/AP)

In July 2016, a truck deliberately driven into the Bastille Day crowds on a Nice promenade killed 86 people.

One Twitter user said: “Nice, France and Berlin, Germany... Where's the respect?! I'm appalled at EastEnders!”

Terror in Nice: The truck which was driven into crowds in a deadly attack last July (Reuters)
Terror in Nice: The truck which was driven into crowds in a deadly attack last July (Reuters)

Geoffrey barker, from Hertfordshire, said: “Very very poor story line in EastEnders considering the true life lorries killing people in Nice and Germany.”

Jack Snelling, from Essex, admitted: “Well #eastenders was explosive yes, but a bus through a market? Can't help but feel it's too soon after the Germany bus attack"

The show hit back at the criticism, saying: "EastEnders is a fictional drama and the crash in tonight's episode was not based on any real-life event. We are always mindful of the content within our episodes."

Not all fans were upset by the similarities between the soap and the recent terrorist attacks.

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One said: “Some people really aren't happy unless they are moaning. Change the channel and let the REAL fans enjoy #eastenders.”

Another tweeted: “It's pathetic how easily offended people are these days. Like I said #eastenders is filmed months in advance. Do some research.”

The cliffhanger ending will continue in Tuesday night’s episode at 7.30pm.