25,000 Indians safe in Japan

Conveying its sympathies to quake-hit Japan, India on Friday offered any assistance that may be required by Tokyo and added that all 25,000 Indians living in that country are safe. "India conveys its sympathies to the government and people of Japan who have been affected by the severe earthquake and
tsunami that have hit parts of Japan today afternoon," the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister SM Krishna are sending to their Japanese counterparts letters of sympathy with offers of assistance, the ministry said.

Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao has spoken to Japan's Ambassador to India Akitaka Saiki and has conveyed heartfelt sympathies and condolences, as well as offered any assistance that may be required.

"There are no reports of any casualties amongst the approximately 25,000 strong Indian community in Japan which is concentrated in the Kanto and Kansai regions," the ministry said.

The Indian embassy in Tokyo and the consulate in Osaka are in touch with community members and verifying the situation on the ground, the ministry said.  A control room has been established in the Indian embassy in Tokyo, which can contacted on phone numbers 00813 32622391-97.

The ministry assured that it is monitoring the situation closely and would take all necessary steps required as per exigencies.

A magnitude-8.9 earthquake hit northeastern Japan on Friday, generating a tsunami as high as 10 metres that hit the coast of Miyagi prefecture, officials said. At least 18 people were killed.