Macao's emergency services responded swiftly last night after two jetfoils collided off Macao about five 5 nautical miles northeast off the runway of Macao International Airport, injuring 133 passengers and crew members.

The accident occurred about 8.30 pm and all the injured were sent to the two hospitals in Macao within one hour of being taken ashore.

More than 10 vessels from the Marine Administration, Macao Customs and the ferry company took part in the rescue operation.

Among the injured, 90 suffered minor injuries, 24 (13 male and 11 female) suffered grade two injuries and 19 (10 male and 9 female) suffered grade one injuries including fractures.

The two jetfoils were the Funchal, which departed from Hong Kong at 7.45 pm with 229 passengers and 10 crew members on board, and the Santa Maria, which departed from Macao at 8.05 pm with 206 passengers and 10 crew members.