Two Australian radio disc jockeys who pranked the London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for morning sickness have temporarily been taken off the air, their employer says.

According to a statement, the DJs, who work for 2Day FM in Sydney, and their employer agreed to the decision after one of the nurses who fell victim to the hoax was found dead near the hospital Friday.

The prank phone call took place early Tuesday and the two radio personalities, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, apologized the following day.

The disc jockeys described the call as the "easiest prank call ever made," and promoted it through the station's website and social media accounts.

After the nurse's death was confirmed, Southern Cross Austereo, the company that owns 2Day FM, released the following statement:

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world.

Chief Executive Officer Rhys Holleran has spoken with the presenters, they are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances. SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy.

With files from The Associated Press