Hong Kong ferry hits unknown object, 85 hurt

A high-speed ferry heading from Hong Kong to Macau hit an unidentified object off an outlying island in the predawn Friday, leaving 85 people injured, authorities and the ferry company said. The hydrofoil, carrying 107 passengers and 10 crew, struck the object at 1:15 a.m. Friday near Hei Ling Chau, a small island in waters on the western side of Hong Kong. The ferry was towed back to the ferry pier in central Hong Kong, AP reported. Three people were in serious condition and 46 were stable in hospitals, said a government spokeswoman, speaking on customary condition of anonymity. The conditions of the others were unclear. Shun Tak Holdings, which owns the TurboJet ferry company, said in a statement that some people were treated at the ferry terminal. The company also said a "preliminary check revealed no significant damage on the vessel body." The Marine Department said it was investigating the accident, which has not affected sea traffic in the area.