Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirms 12 Australians safe after escaping Japan plane fire

A dozen Australians who were on the Japan Airlines flight that caught fire after a collision have escaped safely, Anthony Albanese has confirmed.

The Prime Minister offered his sympathies to Japan after the earthquake and plane accident and pledged to provide whatever support the nation requested of Australia.

“Our hearts go out to our friends in Japan . . . for the impact of the earthquake that has seen a considerable loss of life, as well as of course, we know there are ongoing issues as a result of that major earthquake, including the potential for tsunamis and other activity there,” he said.

“In addition to that, tragically, there was a plane crash at Haneda Airport in Tokyo soon after that earthquake that involved a plane that was providing support for the earthquake with a Japan Airlines flight.”

All 367 passengers and 12 crew were removed from the JAL Airbus A350, but the fire was not extinguished for more than six hours, broadcaster TBS reported citing the fire department.

However, the crash killed five of the six crew on the smaller coastguard plane.

Mr Albanese said the Government had confirmed there were 12 Australians on board the large plane and that “all of those people are safe and accounted for”.

Any Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the 24-hour emergency centre at +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia or 1300 555 135 within the country.