A mass cycling event left 11 injured during a race in Hong Kong.

One of the participants of the Sha Tin Cycling Festival in the professional category lost control in front of the first aid station and crashed into a tent, causing a chain-reaction accident on November 3.

Footage shows fallen cyclists on the ground as the others tried to avoid them. There were 739 cyclists who joined in the event.

Some of them were able to continue with the competition, but two suffered more serious injuries and had to be carried off by medics.

They were fitted with neck braces and taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Race official Ma On Shan said: 'Before the race, we noticed some minor unevenness on the road surface. We immediately communicated this to the Highways Department, which promptly levelled the surface.'

However, another organiser, Ng Kai Tai, said they had insufficient preparation time.

He said: 'Throughout this week, we have conducted multiple inspections, including before the race. The track conditions are relatively good for road racing events.'

The Sha Tin Cycling Festival was the first of its kind and was organised to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which is annually commemorated every October 1.

Hong Kong was formerly under British control - a period that lead to wealth, civic development, human rights and democracy in the country.