A giant flock of birds flying in a frenzy caused online concern that it might be a sign of an oncoming disaster like the recent earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria.

Social media users became worried after seeing the footage of thousands of birds flying close to the ground at high speed, interrupting traffic in Luoping County in China.

Netizens began looking for explanation for the strange sight filmed by Mr Yin, who shared it on Douyin – China’s TikTok.

In the footage, the dense flock of birds can be seen flying across the road at high speed and at a dangerously low altitude.

Passing vehicles were forced to stop in the middle of the road when the sudden swarm of birds blocked their way forwards.

Mr Yin told local media that all the drivers waited for a few minutes until the flock of birds dwindled before they dared to move.

He said: “This is the first time I have seen this phenomenon.”

Netizens were apparently alarmed by the birds’ strange behaviour.

User ‘There are Luo Fei in the south and crucian carp in the north’ said: “An earthquake is about to happen.”

And user ‘Xuan baby’ commented: “Sure enough, a major earthquake occurred in Turkey.”

The incident apparently aroused the attention of the Luoping County Forestry and Grassland Bureau.

A staff member claimed that the large flock may have been affected by weather changes such as sudden drops in temperature and heavy fog.

It is not clear the type of birds seen in the footage, but many netizens suspected that they are sparrows.