The broadcasting watchdog is considering whether to investigate following complaints that a bus crash on EastEnders mirrored recent terrorist attacks.
The terrifying incident left several characters in the soap fighting for their lives.
Some compared it to the Berlin attack, when 12 people died after a lorry was driven into a Christmas market in December.
Regulator Ofcom said it received 29 complaints about Tuesday night’s scenes on BBC One and is assessing them before deciding whether to investigate.
Viewers objected to the storyline, which saw a bus crashing in Albert Square after the driver had a heart attack, saying it was insensitive in the light of real-life incidents of vehicles being deliberately driven into crowds.
A spokeswoman for the soap previously said: “EastEnders is a fictional drama and the crash was not based on any real-life event. We are always mindful of the content within our episodes.”
Actor Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning in the soap, thanked fans on Twitter following the episode.
Thanks for all your comments on tonight’s @bbceastenders
So proud to be a part of this show #eastenders— Jake Wood (@mrjakedwood) January 24, 2017
Fans of the show were divided over the storyline on social media.
Am I the only one disappointed in #eastenders for the bus crash storyline? Considering the news in recent years, Im finding it poor taste
— Rebecca Sisto (@Rebecca_Sisto) January 24, 2017
Anyone else think the #Eastenders bus crash is in very poor taste?
— Juliet 🌻🍃✨ (@JulietRFisher) January 24, 2017
Some also praised the show, with one viewer commenting:
Some great acting in #eastenders but still think this storyline is in poor taste considering real life events @bbceastenders
— Simon Hopkins (@HopkinsBRFC) January 24, 2017
Tuesday night’s episode saw the cast dealing with the aftermath of the crash and fans have been speculating as to whether a major character will be killed off.
A possible death aside, viewers were also quick to point out the length of time it took for emergency services to arrive at the scene.
Surely emergency services would get to a major incident sooner than it has in walford #eastenders
— joanne m (@joannem5569) January 24, 2017