Subway train conductor reportedly addresses passengers as "illegal immigrants" using the public address system

In an unsettling incident, a train driver on the U9 line of the U-Bahn in Berlin made a racist and xenophobic remark over the loudspeaker on Wednesday, 10th April.

Last night, three individuals were traveling on the U-Bahn U9 line towards Osloer Straße when the driver shouted, "Can the criminal migrants back away from the door so we can move on?" to a group of passengers. The incident was reported by Berliner Zeitung and a video of the incident was posted by a witness on Twitter with the link #Berlin.

The video shows the BVG employee not denying making the racist statement. He can also be heard asking the witnesses why they are filming and stating that he has expressed his opinion. In response to the backlash, the BVG employee responded by saying, "That's the only language they understand."

The BVG, Berlin's public transport authority, announced immediately that they will investigate the incident and do everything they can to clear things up. The announcement was made in German. The BVG employee who made the racist remark has not been publicly named, but the company condemned the incident, stating it does not tolerate racism, and announced an internal investigation along with sensitivity training for staff.

One of the witnesses tells the driver that the situation should have been handled differently. The incident occurred on a train carrying migrants and refugees, who were reportedly shocked and confused by the driver's announcement.

Mouatasem Alrifai, a Palestinian activist and human rights lobbyist based in Nuremberg, was sent the video by the witnesses. He shared it on his platform, commenting that he has "never felt so unsafe in Berlin" following the incident.

The BVG has urged passengers who witnessed the incident or have any information to come forward. They are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all passengers.

Subway train conductor reportedly addresses passengers as "illegal immigrants" using the public address system