Japan earthquake relief plane hits passenger jet killing 5 people in Tokyo

Rescuers in Japan have been struggling to reach coastal areas where many are feared trapped under collapsed buildings after the powerful earthquake on New Year’s Day.

At least 55 people are known to have died after the initial 7 point 6 magnitude earthquake – the deadliest to hit the country in eight years – struck the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture.

As rescuers battled to find survivors, there was further tragedy in the capital Tokyo. A Coast Guard plane, preparing to fly earthquake aid from Haneda Airport to Niigata collided with a Japan Airlines jet. Five people onboard the coast guard plane died. But everyone on the burning passenger aircraft managed to get out safely.