More than 80 people were injured after this jetfoil ferry hit what may have been a marine animal while on the way to Sado Island in Niigata [Source: KYODO]

More than 80 passengers have been injured, several seriously, after a ferry hit what appears to have been a whale in the Sea of Japan.

The high-speed hydrofoil ship was en route to Sado Island from the port of Niigata yesterday.

Ferry operators say the vessel hit an object, leaving a 15cm crack in its stern.