A Vienna tram driver was sacked on Monday a day after barking "Sieg Heil" down the intercom at passengers. When a number of them protested vehemently against his use of the Nazi greeting, the 35-year-old driver said in a broad Viennese accent: "Can't you take a joke?"

He apologized to them, but was nevertheless sacked without notice by the Vienna transport company which called his behavior "unspeakable." The Vienna state prosecutor's office said it may take legal action against him and was checking whether he broke a law banning "National Socialist re-engagement."