Mark Zuckerberg has apologised for causing offence after posting a "tasteless" video that showed him touring flooded Puerto Rican streets in virtual reality in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

In a 10-minute-long video, animated versions of Zuckerberg and Rachel Franklin, Facebook's head of social video, are seen chatting and discussing the social network's latest venture against the backdrop of a devastated Puerto Rico.

"One of the things that's really magical about virtual reality is you can get the feeling that you're really in a place," Zuckerberg's avatar says in the video, as it bobs in front of scenes of devastation.

The clip is meant to showcase Facebook's partnerships with NetHope and American Red Cross, which are helping rebuild areas hit by Hurricane Maria, the strongest storm to hit Puerto Rico in nearly a century.

But critics called the video "thoughtless" and "uncaring". One user said Zuckerberg "should be ashamed". Another said, "He's disconnected from reality and this tasteless".

Zuckerberg later apologised, saying: "I'm sorry to anyone this offended".