Nazi Speeches Over Loudspeaker in ÖBB Train between St. Pölten and Vienna

Passengers aboard an intercity train in Austria experienced a disturbing incident on Sunday, as a recording of a speech by Adolf Hitler was unexpectedly played on board. In a departure from the usual announcements, the train’s speaker system echoed with a crowd chanting “Heil Hitler” and “Sieg Heil.”

The train operator revealed that several similar incidents had occurred recently, causing concern among staff and passengers. A traveler on the Bregenz-Vienna service expressed to the BBC that the turn of events shocked everyone on the train.

David Stoegmueller, a member of the Green Party and an Austrian Parliament representative, recounted that the intercom system broadcasted the Nazi German leader’s speech shortly before the train, an ÖBB Railjet 661, reached Vienna. Stoegmueller stated, “We heard two segments: first, approximately 30 seconds of a Hitler speech, followed by the phrase ‘Sieg Heil.’”

Disturbed by the incident, Stoegmueller reported that the train staff could not halt the recording or make their announcements. “One crew member was visibly upset,” he added.

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) promptly stated to the BBC, explicitly denouncing the content of the broadcast. The statement explained that ÖBB believed the announcements to have been made by individuals on the train, utilizing the intercom system. ÖBB further confirmed that they had reported the incident to the police.

It has come to light that complaints have been lodged against two individuals about the incident.

Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Upper Austria, and was raised near Linz. He then lived in Vienna until 1913 before moving to Germany.

Main source BBC.