People pulled to safety as sudden walkway collapse in northwest China sends shoppers scrambling

At least two people have been rescued after part of a pedestrian walkway caved in suddenly in northwest China on Tuesday afternoon.

Videos posted on Chinese social media platforms, including weibo, show pedestrians fleeing in fright as a section of the walkway collapsed at the bustling Zhangye Road shopping area in downtown Lanzhou, Gansu province.

Passers-by were filmed rushing to the aid of those who fell into the hole in the ground, pulling them to safety. It was not immediately known whether there were people missing.

Police have cordoned off the area.