The astonishing video captures two manhole covers exploding dangerously close to a child playing with a sparkler.

Surveillance camera footage shows the boy spinning around in circles while holding the firework in his hand in the city of Yibin, in China’s south-western province of Sichuan, at around 7:30pm on 24th February.

But just moments later he can be seen making a run for it after the two manhole covers near him suddenly burst into the air following an explosion.

One of the manhole lids then fell right in front of the child, making him slip when he stepped on it.

The second plate can be seen falling beside the utility hole, and crashing into pieces due to the impact.

Chinese media reports that the incident occurred when a spark ignited methane in the sewage system, leading to an explosion.

The video triggered many comments after it was shared on China’s version of TikTok, Douyin, later that day.

Douyin user ‘Yi Ze Ruier’ said: “This is a hidden danger. Even if there are no children, it will still be the same if someone throws a cigarette butt or something in there.”

Then user ‘Ji Chanba’ commented: “This biogas concentration is a bit outrageous.”

And ‘Best Best’ Added: “If it explodes like this, I don’t blame the children, this is a safety hazard.”

The video has reached more than 71,000 likes and over 35,000 shares as of 26th February.