80 injured after Japanese ferry hits whale

More than 80 people are injured after a ferry hit what is thought to have been a whale off a Japanese island.

A jetfoil ferry after an apparent collision with a marine animal Source: AAP

More than 80 people have been injured after a ferry collided with what is thought to have been a whale off a Japanese island.

The accident happened off Sado Island on Saturday, the Kyodo News agency reported.

Five people were seriously injured and a 15cm crack was later found at the ferry's stern.

The jetfoil ferry. Source: AAP

Ferry operator Sado Steam Ship Co said the jetfoil ferry still reached its intended destination on the island, located off the west coast of Japan's main island of Honshu.

The ferry, which departed from Honshu's Niigata Port, was carrying 121 passengers and four crew members.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by coast guard officials, who said the ferry may have struck a marine animal.