Nine Australians known to be in Haiti are safe, but fears remain for others after the most powerful earthquake to hit the Caribbean country in more than 200 years caused widespread destruction.

Spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ( DFAT) said in a statement on Wednesday, "But we are still seeking to confirm the safety of a small number of other Australians who may also be in Haiti."

Australian aid worker Ian Rodgers said the earthquake struck with "extreme force and ferocity".

"What's resulted is a lot of landsliding, and buildings have collapsed and then fallen down the hillside," he told Network Ten from Port-au-Prince. Electricity is now off. We have had reports hospitals are damaged and destroyed. We're trying to find out what is functioning and what is not functioning."

The Australian government will respond to requests for assistance from the Haitian authorities "and ensure it is coordinated with regional and international efforts", accorning to the DFAT.

People concerned about family and friends in Haiti are being urged to try and contact them directly.

The quake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the capital Port-au-Prince on Wednesday Australian time.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2010)