70 reported hurt in Macao ferry crash

Injuries from a high-speed ferry crash in Macao stood at 70 on Friday, according to the region's health authorities.

Officials said the turbojet ferry Cacilhas, operated by Hong Kong-based Shun Tak Holdings Ltd, hit the southern embankment near Macao's Outer Harbor terminal at around 9:30 am local time.

Officials with Macao's government agencies and Shun Tak held a news conference on Friday afternoon, saying that the ship was carrying about 220 passengers and 13 crew members.

A news release from Macao's Health Bureau said the injured included 45 men and 25 women between the ages of 17 to 69, of whom four were Macao residents and 59 were from Hong Kong. Also hurt were four South Koreans, one Japanese national and two people from Thailand. Among the injured were nine crew members.

But the health authority said the 70, who were all taken to a local hospital, sustained only minor injuries.

The Health Bureau said it will release details later.

Macao, in southern China, has seen a number of ferry accidents in recent years.

Cacilhas, a high-speed ferry, leans on its side after it crashed into an embarkment near Macao's Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal while arriving from Hong Kong on Friday morning. At least 70 people were injured. Edmond Tang / Provided to China Daily