The Advertiser, an Australian newspaper published in the city of Adelaide, yesterday printed on page 17, an offensive and inappropriate cartoon regarding the Greek wildfires.
At least 85 people have died from the devastating flames and search teams fear they will find more victims as dozens are still missing.
Many people took to social media yesterday to shame the publication, as well as private messaging and publicly posting their complaints on The Advertiser's Facebook page.
The publications initial response was "we're sorry if the cartoon caused offense. No disrespect was intended, nor was it intended to be funny. The cartoonist's intent was a poignant reflection on the scale of the tragedy."
An apology has since been posted on The Advertiser's Facebook page, which reads:
"APOLOGY FOR GREEK CARTOON
Dear all,
A cartoon about the Greek fire tragedy appeared in yesterday's Advertiser and unfortunately upset many of the people who saw it.
The cartoon was meant to be a poignant tribute to the Greek people, both the tragedy they are now facing and their undeniable resilience.
But many of you told us you found the cartoon to be offensive, insensitive and in bad taste.
It was never our intention to add to the hurt or distress the Greek community has been suffering as a result of the fires.
But we accept that we did and, for this, we unreservedly apologise."
Matt Deighton
Editor
The Advertiser