The body advises against all but essential travel to Tokyo and the north-east of Japan.
The
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued advice for British nationals affected by the earthquake that struck Japan on March 11th. The body advises against all but essential travel to the north-east of the country and its capital, Tokyo.
An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale has caused severe damage and a tsunami in the region and the FCO states the risk of aftershocks and more tidal waves continues.
Travel insurance policyholders currently in the country have been told to stay away from coastal areas and heed recommendations from local authorities and emergency services.
The infrastructure in the affected areas of Japan has been severely disrupted and Sendai airport has been flooded. Power has been cut off to some regions and an explosion at a nuclear power station in Fukushima has seen residents of the area evacuated.
Search and rescue teams have been deployed to the nation and specialist UK consular teams have arrived. The British Ambassador is working to locate any British people who have been affected by the incident and officials are visiting hospitals and evacuation centres to provide assistance to UK residents abroad.
Foreign office minister for south-east Asia, Jeremy Browne, told BBC Radio 4: "There are large numbers of British nationals. We are trying to make sure that we identify, as speedily as possible ... any British nationals who need assistance."
He confirmed search and rescue teams have been deployed and the UK government has offered help to manage the situation on the ground and at the nuclear power stations that have been damaged.
By Robin Western
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