87 injured as jetfoil ferry collides with marine animal in Japan

TOKYO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A collision of a jetfoil ferry with a marine animal took place off Japan's Sado Island in the Sea of Japan on Saturday, injuring 87 people, local media reported, citing the Japan Coast Guard.

Of the injured, five are in critical condition.

The incident occurred at around 12:15 p.m. local time, leaving a 5-centimeter crack at the vessel's stern with a heavy blow.

The ferry left Niigata Port on Japan's main island at 11:30 a.m. local time, carrying 121 passengers and four crew, and was expected to reach its destination on Sado Island at 12:30 p.m. local time.

The coast guards are currently investigating the cause of the incident. According to them, it is likely that a whale or some sea creature has hit the vessel.

However, the collision did not stop the jetfoil from completing its journey. It arrived at the destination of Ryotsu Port at around 1:30 p.m. local time.

The jetfoil ferry, propelled by a high pressure jet of seawater, can run at a speed of 80 km per hour. Its hydrofoil wings were also damaged in the accident.