by Martin Jefferies

Japanese students on a trip to Kent have spoken of their horror after seeing a devastating quake hit their home country.

Some of the teenagers staying in Thanet were meant to fly back to Tokyo on Monday.

But since the 8.9 magnitude disaster struck the airport has been closed and phone lines jammed.

It's believed the quake is one of the biggest ever recorded in Japan.

The disaster struck off-shore earlier this morning and triggered a 33ft tsunami that swept all before it.

Mineo Kageya, director of the From Japan Institute, said he fears the death toll could rise considerably.

He has been over in Thanet teaching children about Japanese culture for the past two weeks.

The 49-year-old experienced the aftermath of the Hanshin earthquake in 1995, when more than 6,000 people were killed and around 300,000 were left homeless.

He said: "The tsunami seems to have caused a lot of damage, taking everything. It looks even worse than the Hanshin earthquake.

"In Japan, we have evacuation training for disasters like this and we gained experience from the events in Hanshin. But people quickly forget."

Mr Kageya said he had been unable to speak to his family or friends since the earthquake struck at 5.46am GMT.

However, he has received a message from his wife, confirming that both she and his seven-year-old son are both fine.

The note was posted on a new website, which allows Japanese people to tell their friends and family they are OK.

Mr Kageya believes the clean-up operation in Japan could take some time.

He said: "Many houses were damaged in the Hanshin earthquake and until new housing was built around a month later, people had to shelter in sports centres.

"I think people realise that we have to help each other, otherwise we cannot survive.

"The north-east region [where the effects of the earthquake and tsunami were concentrated] tends to have a more close-knit community, so they'll be able to help each other."

At least 32 people died in today's earthquake, officials said.

Television pictures show the earthquake caused substantial damage to buildings, while the tsunami swept away cars, ships and entire buildings.

Tsunami alerts have been issued across the Pacific, with the United States, Australia, Fiji and Chile among those on high alert.

The Red Cross has warned the waves could be higher than some of the Pacific Islands.

Search and rescue teams across the world are on stand by to help the people of Japan.

So far, Kent members of the UK International Search and Rescue team haven't been called upon.

They can help out overseas after major disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams issued a statement expressing his concern for the victims today.

He said: "The news of the horrific earthquake in Japan has shocked us all.

"We await further and more detailed news with apprehension, but I want to say immediately that our hearts and our prayers go out to all who have been affected and that we as a church will do what we can to offer practical as well as spiritual support at this time of great suffering and great anxiety for so many.

"A message of sympathy and support has already gone to the Anglican Archbishop of Japan, and we intend to keep in contact about the crisis."

An emergency helpline has been set up for anyone in the UK worried about family or friends who may be caught up in the disaster.

The Foreign Office can be contacted on 0207 008 1500.