This footage shows dedicated rescuers pulling cows from a freezing pond using ropes after 20 of the bovines crashed through the ice after going there to drink.

The incident took place in the city of Altay, which is located in north-western China’s Xinjiang province on Sunday 28th November after over 20 cows fell into the freezing cold water.

The footage shows numerous cows swimming in the freezing pond while rescuers attempt to pull them out one at a time using thick ropes.

Eight rescuers from the Meilifeng Road Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the scene in two vehicles.

After an hour of hard work, the eight rescuers, who have not been named, were reportedly able to rescue over 20 cows from the water one after the other.

It is currently unclear if any of the cows died as a result of falling into the freezing cold water and if the rescuers were able to rescue all of them. It is also unclear who the owner of the cows is.

Winters in Xinjiang typically see temperatures drop to below zero degrees Celsius.