MACAO -- A jet cruiser enroute for Macao from Hong Kong crashed the bank in Macao on Friday, wounding more than 20 people, sources from the Macao police said.

Officials said the airship, operated by Hong Kong-based Shun Tak Holdings Limited, hit the southern embankment near Macao's Outer Habor terminal at around 9:30 am local time.

A press release issued by Shun Tak said 22 of the 220 passengers on board sustained minor injuries and all of them were sent to hospital for treatment.

Maritime authorities and the police launched the joint rescue efforts after the incident.

Officials from Macao's Marine and Water Bureau told Xinhua via telephone that all those injured have left the scene.

Macao, China's special administration at the southern tip of the mainland, has seen a number of airship accidents over the past years.