Twelve Australians who were on board a Japan Airlines flight that collided with a coast guard aircraft and burst into flames are safe and accounted for.
All 379 people on board the flight escaped the burning airliner after the collision at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on Jan.2.
Five of the six crew on the smaller coast guard died in the incident.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the aircraft collision was tragic but all Australians involved escaped.
“We understand that there were 12 Australians on board that Japan Airlines flight, but all of those people are safe and accounted for,” he told reporters in Sydney on Jan. 3.
“However, any Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian government’s 24 hour consular emergency.”
A Japanese ministry official told a press briefing the Japan Airlines flight was attempting to land normally when it collided with the coast guard patrol plane on the runway.
The smaller coast guard plane was heading to Niigata airport on the Japanese west coast to deliver aid following a devastating earthquake which struck the region on New Year’s Day.
Mr. Albanese said the thoughts of Australia were with Japan following the earthquake and the plane collision.
“Our hearts go out to our friends in Japan,” he said.
“We will provide and have offered whatever support is requested by our friends in Japan.”
