HSBC employees fired for mock IS-style execution video

LONDON, July 7 (UPI) -- British multinational banker HSBC fired six employees Tuesday after they published a mock Islamic State-style execution video online.

The six bankers were taking part in an HSBC team-building exercise being hosted by the Teamworks Karting track in the British city of Birmingham. Five of the workers were dressed in baclavas and one was holding a coat hanger as they stood behind a sixth employee dressed in an orange jumpsuit.

The individuals' positions mimic those assumed by IS militants in beheading videos. Amidst laughs, the videographer instructs one of the men in the group to say "Allahu Akbar", which is Arabic for "God is great." IS militants say this before executing a hostage. One of the men then chants before laughter resumes and the video cuts off.

The video was posted on Instagram and later deleted. HSBC thanked British newspaper The Sun on Twitter for publishing the video.

The company also apologized for the clip and said that the individuals had been sacked.