60 Korean nationals remain unaccounted for after Japan earthquake: ministry

SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- In the wake of Japan's biggest recorded earthquake two days ago, the South Korean government grappled Sunday with searching for missing nationals and supporting relief efforts in the disaster-hit northeastern region, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
The 9.0-magnitude earthquake sent a 10-meter-high tsunami ripping through towns and cities across the northeast coast on Friday, leaving over 1,000 people dead, according to media reports. The magnitude of the quake was revised upward on Sunday from 8.8, making it one of the largest in the world.
About 60 Koreans living in the coastal area as well as two residents within a radius of 30 kilometers of a badly damaged nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture remain out of contact with the consulate office, the ministry said, raising concern over their safety.
"We are trying to figure out the extent of damage suffered by Korean residents, but no casualties have been reported yet," a ministry official said.
As of Sunday, 93 Koreans, including 77 students and Samsung Electronics' employees at its Sendai branch, were confirmed to be safe.
A special team of South Korean rescue workers and search dogs arrived in Sendai early Sunday to assess damages to its nationals staying in the quake-hit areas and help with relief efforts.
They also distributed emergency food and aid equipment to some 110 Korean nationals and travelers who were taking refuge in a hall at the Sendai Consulate General, they said, while transporting those who want to return home to Niigata, where an international gateway is located.
Five C-130 cargo aircraft loaded with 202 rescue workers and relief supplies are currently on standby at Seoul airport, a military airport in Seongnam, south of Seoul, officials added.