This is the dramatic moment a hospital ceiling collapsed injuring four visitors in China.

CCTV footage shows the ceiling boards falling on top of customers waiting in line at a pharmacy in the Chaozhou Central Hospital in Guangdong province on December 5. A worker later emerged from the hole to check on the injured visitors.

The hospital said in a statement that the accident happened while maintenance work was ongoing.

The statement read: 'The construction workers did not set up a cordon, and climbed on the ceiling to work, causing the ceiling in front of the western pharmacy in the lobby of the first floor of the outpatient building to fall off partially.'

Four people were injured, including one who was hospitalised for head trauma and a leg fracture. Three others had minor abrasions and were sent home after treatment. They were all in stable condition.

The hospital added that the ceiling was being repaired. The construction workers were also ordered to strengthen safety regulations to prevent similar accidents from happening.