Comedian under fire for 'joke' about Colombian plane crash

Rescue workers search at the wreckage site of the plane that crashed carrying the Brazilian first division soccer club Chapecoense team. Photo / AP

An Australian comedian has been forced to apologise for a joke he made on Twitter about the plane crash in Colombia that killed 71 people.

The doomed Flight AMI2933 was carrying the Brazilian soccer club Chapecoense that was on its way to Medellin for the first leg of the 2016 Copa Sudamerica final against Atlético Nacional on Wednesday (local time).

There were also reported to be 22 football journalists from Brazil on the flight to cover Chapecoense's fairytale season and there were nine crew members on board.

It has been reported the team changed planes at the last minute.

Brazil has declared three days of mourning for those killed.

A few hours after the plane crash, comedian Adam Rozenbachs tweeted: "Plane carrying soccer team crashes in Colombia. Survivors were heard crying 'Penalty! Penalty!'"

The fallout was harsh.

75 ppl have died, including an entire football team. You're a disgrace!

— David Davutovic (@davutovic) November 29, 2016

Absolutely disgraceful @arozenbachs - the follow up 'apology' was just as bad. AFL mindset of taking shots at football is horrendous. pic.twitter.com/Sx25rFZ1PJ

— Brogan - Firewire Digital (@firewiredigital) November 29, 2016

This guy is the scum of the earth @arozenbachs pic.twitter.com/JgY4gxdmID

— Dave (@AllGunsRaveing) November 29, 2016

Whats NASA mean; need another 7 astronauts, a joke 15mins after Columbia tragedy. Humor does not discriminate!

— Sentinel (@martyj99) November 29, 2016

Rozenbachs, who calls himself a comedian and broadcaster in this Twitter bio, deleted the tweet and offered an apology.