Yahoo News fires reporter, apologizes to Romney over 'black people drowning' remark

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Yahoo News bureau chief fired for open mic comment

Yahoo News' Washington bureau chief was fired Wednesday after he was caught on a hot mic joking that Republicans are "happy to have a party" while black people drown.

The comment was made by David Chalian during live coverage of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, and was an apparent reference to the convention getting underway while a tropical storm-turned-hurricane barreled toward the Gulf Coast.

"They are happy to have a party with black people drowning," said a voice off-camera, later identified as Chalian, as video of the Romneys played on screen. Other people could be heard laughing at the comment.

A Yahoo! spokesperson confirmed to FoxNews.com that Chalian was let go, and said the company has apologized to Romney and his staff.

"David Chalian's statement was inappropriate and does not represent the views of Yahoo!. He has been terminated effective immediately. We have already reached out to the Romney campaign, and we apologize to Mitt Romney, his staff, their supporters and anyone who was offended," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Chalian posted his own apology later Wednedsay on Twitter: "I am profoundly sorry for making an inappropriate and thoughtless joke."

Chalian used to work for ABC before moving on to serve as the political director at "PBS NewsHour" and eventually work for Yahoo News.

He appeared to still be employed by the company as of Wednesday morning, having posted on his Facebook page about a "great conversation" he had with Romney's "campaign brass" in Tampa.