A female journalist is facing an enquiry after making a man cry on live TV with her insensitive questions about the fact that he had lost everything in a massive blaze.

The tragedy happened when a fire swept through a region of the city of Vina del Mar on central Chile’s Pacific coast, reportedly destroying hundreds of homes.

Monica Perez was a journalist for the local TV station Channel 13 who was quickly on the scene and seeking out survivors of the tragedy that happened on the night on 23rd December.

After spotting one man and identifying him as a victim, she then goes to a live camera when she says: “So Don Humberto, you told me that you lost everything, that the only things that you have left now are the clothes that you are wearing?”

The man agrees, and then she continues: “How are you going to celebrate Christmas tomorrow? What are you going to do?”

At this, the unfortunate man bursts into tears and can no longer talk, to which she replies: “Wow, I didn’t want to make him cry… yeah, don’t worry.”

He tries to compose himself and says: “At this time last year, I was having Christmas dinner . . . ” but then sensitive neighbours move in and lead him off camera.

As he moves away, she replies: “Thank you, Don Humberto, I’m glad that you are very well.”

The videos attracted millions of views and a wave of criticism of the young reporter for her insensitive questioning.

Following a wave of protests, the Chilean National Television Council (CNTV) confirmed in a statement that “more than 3,000 complaints have been received for the broadcast of Teletrece Central on 23rd December that allude to the journalist Monica Perez for “degrading treatment of a person who lost everything” and the complaints also allude to the issues of journalistic ethics.”