Vessel collision injures 76 in HK
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Xinhua, October 21, 2011
Seventy-six people were injured with three elderly in serious condition after a ferry crashed into a mooring pillar inside the departure port on Friday morning in Hong Kong, and the city's marine department said it would pay special attention to the speed of the ferry at the time of the collision.
The initial findings of an investigation by the Marine Department of the city's government into the accident have revealed that the ferry strayed outside the navigational fairway into a mooring area.
Initial reports received showed that the ferry, which has a length of 28.84 meters, was carrying 140 passengers and four crew members. It departed from Cheung Chau Island, in the southwest of the Hong Kong Island, for Central, the city's financial fort on the Hong Kong Island, at 5:10 a.m. local time.
Five minutes after its departure, the vessel struck a mooring dolphin inside Cheung Chau port, causing significant casualties onboard. Many passengers suffered cuts and bruises to their heads when thrown to the floor by the impact.
The 76 injured included 49 males and 27 females, aged from 19 to 82. Nine of the casualties had to be airlifted to hospital. The three elderly, all from the same family, remained in serious condition.
The ferry sustained significant damage to its starboard bow. The master of the vessel has been suspended from duty.
The Marine Department investigation showed that a light beacon nearest to the mooring dolphin was lit and functioning properly in accordance with the nautical chart.
