Irish community in worst hit area of Japan ‘safe and well’ - SEE VIDEOS

Read more: Irish woman speaks of terror during Japan’s massive earth

Several Irish citizens who were living close to the epicenter of the earthquake in Japan have been found safe and well.

In Ireland there was growing concern for a handful of Irish people living in Northern Japan who had not made touch with their families or friends since the quake struck last Friday.

However in the past 24-hours, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has managed to make contact with Irish citizens who were living in the worst-hit Sendai region.

"We were able to make contact with all the people on the list that we had concerns about," a spokeswoman for the department said last night. "They are safe and well."

There are an estimated 2,000 Irish citizens currently residing in Japan, with the large majority of these living in the Tokyo and Osaka areas.

The Irish President Mary McAleese expressed her condolences to Emperor Akihito of Japan.

"On behalf of the people of Ireland, and on my own behalf, I wish to convey to you and the people of Japan deepest sympathy on the tragic loss of so many lives in Friday's earthquake and tsunami which hit northern Japan,"McAleese said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are bereaved. We hope that those who have been injured will make a full and speedy recovery.

"As a friend of Japan, Ireland is steadfast in its solidarity with you and your people at this most difficult time."