45 plus Aussies in worst quake zone

Embassy officials in Japan are trying to contact at least 45 Australians known to be in the hardest hit zone.

"What of course we know is there will be more Australians there than the 45 who are registered - we don't know the total number at this stage," Prime Minister Julia Gillard told reporters.

"The ambassador will be doing everything he can to get in contact with Australians and ascertain their safety and welfare."

The prime minister said the level of assistance had yet to be determined but could include search and rescue experts, hospital and medical aid and police reserves, similar to that provided recently to New Zealand.

"We don't know the full scale of the devastation but it is really very apparent the Japanese people have been dealt an incredibly cruel blow by this earthquake and the tsunami following it," she said.

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She said members of parliament visiting Tokyo, including Stuart Robert, Stephen Jones, Amanda Rishworth, Senator Michaelia Cash and Natalie Hutchins, were safe and well.

The group was travelling on the bullet train from Kyoto and Osaka in the south when the quake hit and they were trapped on the halted train for hours.

After the train began moving, Mr Robert reported that the MPs planned to disembark in Tokyo and walk about three kilometres to the Australian embassy.

He said the streets of Tokyo were packed with people walking home and bumper-to-bumper cars.

"Tokyo is awash with people walking, trying to get home, completely awash with them," he said.

He said the group got off at Shinagawa station.

Meanwhile, Qantas has delayed three overnight flights following the quake, due to Tokyo's Narita airport closing.

QF22 Tokyo to Sydney was due to leave Tokyo at 8pm (local time, 1800 AEDT), but has been delayed until 7pm (local time) on Saturday.

QF21 Sydney to Tokyo was due to depart Sydney at 10pm (AEDT) on Friday, will now depart Sydney at 10am (AEDT) on Saturday.

QF79 Perth to Tokyo was due to depart at 10pm on Friday (WST), but has been rescheduled to depart at 7.50am (WST).

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/at-least-45-austs-in-worst-quake-zone/story-fn6sb9br-1226020165567#ixzz1GkocFc5U