Japan nuclear crisis: Melbourne family has no way to escape

Japanese soldiers search for victims of the tsunami in Miyako, Iwate prefecture. Source: AP

Having avoided last Friday's tsunami, Chris Aiezza told the Herald Sun he was on alert for the threat of radiation poisoning as he remains in Sendai with his young family.

But he says a lack of petrol means that even if the nuclear threat becomes dangerous, they may not be able to escape.

"We have not been told to worry here. But if the wind comes and brings the rain from the reactor, then, yeah, that will be a worry. It could be toxic," he said.

"At the moment they are telling us the radiation levels would be like going through a scan, like at the airport. I really don't think it is going to be like a Chernobyl.

"I hope not, anyway. And even if we wanted to get away we can't, there's just no petrol," he said.

Mr Aiezza said his house had no access to gas, and local authorities were rationing drinking water to two litres a household a day.

To use toilets and find water to bathe, his wife and two young children must trek to a local school.

Fellow Melburnian Jason Briffa, who had not made contact with home since last Friday's tsunami, emailed the Herald Sun yesterday afternoon to say he was alive.

"I'm doing fine and staying positive but there's little for anyone to use," he wrote.

"In my town there's no power, gas, running water or petrol.

"Every night it's pitch black and everyone must be mindful of food and water, since it's scarce."

It had been an agonising wait for Mr Briffa's mum, Mary, who managed to speak to him through Skype soon after he made contact with the Herald Sun.

Hospitals and emergency shelters are being scoured for 143 Australians who remain unaccounted for.

Consular officials have stepped up the search for those Australians yet to make contact with their families.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday: "We are doing this on the ground, going from hospital to hospital, emergency shelter to emergency shelter to track down Australians."

Fears are held for the safety of the Australians registered as having been in disaster-affected areas when the quake and tsunami struck on Friday, followed by the Fukushima nuclear nightmare.

Overall, the Department of Foreign Affairs has located 2891 Australians across Japan - including 119 in stricken areas. There are now 3414 Australians registered generally as being in Japan. There are no reports of Australian casualties.

If you cannot contact family and friends in the region, ring the Department of Foreign Affairs on 1300 555 135.