Japan ferry collision leaves multitude of casualties
A Japanese high-speed ferry has reportedly crashed into a whale leaving nearly one hundred passengers aboard the vessel injured.
Japanese coastguards and media said on Saturday that at least 87 passengers on board a hydrofoil with 121 passengers and four crew were injured in an incident in the Sea of Japan.
"It was a huge impact," a passenger told a local public broadcaster, adding that "one person was bleeding."
Local media said there was some damage at the back of the vessel, but the ferry reached the port without any aid.
Five people were seriously injured in the incident, which occurred just before the ferry's arrival on Sado island after a short trip from the mainland, the Japan Coast Guard said.
Authorities believe the vessel struck a whale.
Both humpback and minke whales are often seen in those parts of the sea, according to state-run NHK TV quoting a marine wildlife expert as saying.
Whales have sentimental value for the Japanese people.
Japanese sentiments towards whaling, in particular, came into global spotlight in December when the country withdrew from the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Japan abandoned the IWC after it failed to persuade the whaling authority to allow Japanese fishing firms to hunt whales.
Japan has now decided to resume the commercial whaling in July, despite warnings of the decline in the number of the species.
The older people of Japan, who became dependent on eating whale meat after WWll food shortages, have defended the eating of whale meat as part of their cultural heritage and national identity.
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