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Haiti: Aussie still unaccounted for

One Australian remains unaccounted for in earthquake-devastated Haiti,where at least 50,000 people are believed to have perished.

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Source: AAP


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One Australian remains unaccounted for in earthquake-devastated Haiti, where at least 50,000 people are believed to have perished.

Three days after Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake, whose epicentre struck around 20km west of the capital Port-au-Prince, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says 23 Australians known to be in the region at the time have been accounted for, but one cannot be contacted.

"To date we have no evidence that any Australian has been killed in the earthquake but we are being cautious and taking steps to account for those we haven't yet found," a DFAT spokeswoman said in a statement.

On Friday afternoon DFAT confirmed the safety of three Australians, taking the total to 23.

"On the basis of the information we have at present, only one case remains outstanding," the spokeswoman said.

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"We have no firm information that this individual was actually in the earthquake-affected zone, but may have been in or near Haiti at the time of the earthquake.

"We are doing everything possible to contact this individual."

Details of the outstanding Australian have not been made available.

Haitian officials said at least 50,000 people had been killed and 1.5 million left homeless in the Caribbean nation, one of the poorest countries in the world.

It is feared the quake may cost up to 100,000 lives.

Aid is arriving in Haiti from around the world, with the Australian government commitment standing at $10 million.

"The initial $5 million of Australia's funding will provide immediate life-saving assistance to those affected by the disaster," Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said in a

statement through the week.

"There will also be $5 million made available for longer-term assistance following UN assessment of the requirements.

"We will also look at giving more as things progress," he said.

In addition to financial aid, thousands of US troops have been deployed to assist as anger and frustration among survivors has turned to violence and looting in some areas.

Australians with concerns about friends or relatives in Haiti should contact the DFAT 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135.


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