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Hong Kong marine authorities to inspect pier struck by ferry after accident leaves 34 hurt

Marine Department’s investigation will also cover ferry captain’s steering, with authorities saying boat listed in good condition in March

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About 40 passengers sustained light injuries when a ferry bumped into a pier in Hong Kong’s financial district on Friday morning. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong authorities have pledged to inspect the structure and parts of a pier in Central after it was struck by a ferry in an accident that left 34 passengers with slight injuries.

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The scope of the investigation would also include the ferry captain’s steering, the Marine Department said, adding that the ship was found to be in a good condition after an inspection in March.

HK Electric, one of the city’s two power companies, said a contractor arranged for the vessel to ferry outsourced staff to Lamma Power Station for construction work.

Hung Shing-yau, an assistant division officer with the Fire Services Department, said it was notified of the accident at 7.11am.

The boat was carrying about 120 passengers and had struck Pier 9 in Central, authorities said.

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“When the ferry involved was going to dock, it accidentally hit the pier,” Hung said, adding that 96 firefighters and paramedics were deployed in response.

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