Six pupils have been suspended from their school in Germany after two of them made the Hitler salute at Auschwitz.

According to local media, two 15-year-olds made the banned gesture during a school trip to the former concentration camp on 4th May.

They and four others have now reportedly been suspended from Peter-Apian Secondary School in Leisnig, Saxony State.

The incident only came to light after a photo showing four of the pupils – two of whom were making the Nazi salute – was shared on social media.

Local media did not reveal which network the photo was uploaded to but said that it was an app that is not as popular as Instagram or Facebook.

When the students’ teachers became aware of the photo, they asked them to delete it and reported the incident to the authorities.

A spokesperson for the Chemnitz Police Department told local media: “We are investigating two 15-year-old students for using symbols of unconstitutional organisations.

“The investigations are being conducted by the State Security Department.”

The spokesperson added: “The photo in the possession of the police shows four students at night, two of whom are making the Hitler salute.

“Teaching staff became aware of it shortly after the post was published, asked the students to delete it, and subsequently reported it to the police. The investigations are ongoing.”

According to Saxony State’s Office for School and Education, a total of six students have been suspended and further measures are being considered.

Making the Sieg Heil is considered a criminal offence under German law due to its association with Nazi ideology and the atrocities committed during the Nazi regime.

Poland – where Auschwitz is located – also has strict laws prohibiting the promotion of fascist, totalitarian, or Nazi ideologies, as well as the display of symbols associated with these ideologies, including the Hitler salute.