Japan Airlines fire: 12 Australians on-board plane that caught fire

Shocking images have made headlines worldwide after a passenger jet went up in flames after it collided with a Japan Coast Guard plane at Haneda airport, one of the busiest in the world.

Anthony Albanese confirmed that 12 Australians were on-board the plane that went up in flames.

“We understand that there were 12 Australians on-board that Japan Airlines flight but all of those people are safe and accounted for,” the Prime Minister told reporters on Wednesday.

“However, any Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian government’s 24-hour consular emergency centre.”

While all 379 passengers and crew on-board the Japan Airlines plane escaped with their lives after being evacuated, tragically five of the six crew on-board the smaller plane died, according to Japanese Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito.

It’s believed the surviving crew member was the plane’s captain.

Video posted on social media shows that it was a close call for passengers and crew on the passenger jet, with people sliding down an inflatable emergency slide as the plane goes up in flames behind it.

Fire crews tried to extinguish the blaze before the entire plane was engulfed in flames.

The smaller plane was bound for central Japan to deliver supplies after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Monday, while the passenger jet had arrived from Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praised those killed in the blaze who had been on their way to help earthquake victims.

“These were employees who had a high sense of mission and responsibility for the affected areas. It’s very regrettable,” he told reporters.

“I express my respect and gratitude to their sense of mission.”

More to come