EastEnders bosses deny bus crash was based on Berlin terror attack

Viewers expressed their concern over the storyline following the episode

EastEnders bosses have been forced to defend themselves due to a dramatic episode bearing similarities with devastating real-life events.

In December, a truck was deliberately driven into a Christmas market in Breitscheidplatz, Berlin leaving 12 people dead and 56 more injured while a similar terror attack occurred in Nice back in July killing 86 and injuring 434.

EastEnders fans were left open-mouthed on Monday night (23 January) when a shock storyline saw a bus driver crash into the Bridge Street market after appearing to have a heart attack behind the wheel leaving the fate of several characters in the balance.

Tuesday night's episode (24 January) dealt with the aftermath as the residents were forced to club together to save the life of Martin Fowler (James Bye).

Some fans expressed their distaste via Twitter.

Bosses have since ensured viewers, however, that the storyline wasn't influenced by the Berlin terror attacks.

In a statement, they said: “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.”