Story By: John Feng, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

This footage viewed more than six million times shows parents and firefighters searching for injured children underneath bouncy castle which was swept up by a tornado and overturned.

The tragic accident happened on a public square in the county of Laiyuan in China’s northern Hebei Province, with two children since confirmed dead and seven other minors reportedly injured.

Local officials say the freak tornado struck Jumarong Square at 2:40pm local time today (2nd May), sweeping away the crowded bouncy castle and tipping it over.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

According to the authorities, one child was declared dead at the scene after apparently being flung off the inflatable and onto the ground.

Eight children were being treated at a local hospital when the second victim succumbed to fatal impact injuries.

The names, ages and genders of the two victims have been withheld by officials.

The county government said in a statement that three suspects had been arrested in the aftermath of the rescue effort.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

They are believed to be operators of the bouncy castle, which reports suggested had not been properly secured, allowing the strong winds to tip it over.

The incident comes just one month after a similar freak accident in neighbouring Henan Province injured 18 children and two adults on 31st March.

It was reportedly caused by a violent dust devil, and footage shows the entire bouncy castle being swept into the sky.