A dramatic manhole explosion sent a boy flying into the air after he threw a firecracker into it in north-central China.

In the CCTV video, filmed in the city of Dunhuang in Gansu Province on January 10, an eight-year-old boy in a dark jacket squatted down near a manhole and threw a firecracker into it, while another boy in a red jacket ran away.

The manhole then suddenly exploded, sending the boy in a dark jacket and the manhole cover about three-metres-high into the air.

Nearby people ran to check on the boy after hearing the loud noise of the explosion.

According to reports, the methane inside the septic tank was ignited by the firecracker thrown inside the manhole, causing a huge blast.

The boy was sent to hopsital for treatment and his condition is unknown.

1月10日，甘肃敦煌，刚刚放假的八岁男孩路过楼院化粪池时，随手向井盖内扔了个爆竹，引起沼气爆炸。孩子被炸飞的井盖掀飞，重重摔落在地，井盖也被炸飞3米高。目前，孩子已送医救治，具体伤情不明。