This is the moment a large section of ceiling collapses in a children’s hospital, narrowly missing one mum clutching her son as they flee to safety.

The incident took place at the Sanatorio de Ninos (Children’s Sanatorium) in the city of Rosario in the Argentine province of Santa Fe on Sunday, 16th January.

According to the news site Clarin, the ceiling collapse followed a period of heavy rain in the region and gave way during a problem with a storm drain.

Hospital spokesperson Anibal Krivoy told local media on Monday, 17th January that excess water began to build up, causing a pipe to burst and, subsequently, the ceiling to collapse.

Patients in the hospital waiting room were able to evacuate the building moments before the ceiling partially collapsed, and no one was reported as injured.

Krivoy added: “The materials that fell were light so we do not believe they would have caused any injuries anyway.

“The cause of the problem has been solved and now it is only the repair work that remains.

“We worked continuously through the night and we believe it will all be resolved during the course of today or tomorrow.”

Since the weekend, Santa Fe Province has been battered by heavy rains and strong winds that have uprooted trees and blown roofs off houses.

In the city of San Lorenzo alone, around 80 families reportedly lost the roofs of their homes.