Restaurant staff are blown into the air after trying to hold down canopy at Chinese diner

This is the shocking moment strong gusts of wind in China sent several men flying into the air - with one landing on the rooftop, and another crash landing and fracturing his ribs.

Howling gales tore through parts of the country on Sunday forcing local businesses to erect outdoor canopies to protect diners.

The crew at this restaurant in China’s Hubei province was holding onto the canopy put in place for the bad weather. But the wind was so powerful it was blown away.

Some people - including the restaurant owner - were swept up into the air as they were unable to let go of the canopy in time.

The men are thrown into the air after strong gusts of wind tore through Hubei province

One staff member landed on the rooftop, above, another crash landed and fractured his ribs

Staff at the diner try to hold down the canopy as winds of up to 73mph hit parts of China

One staff member had a relatively soft landing after being thrown onto the restaurant rooftop - while the owner was hurled in the air before crashing to the floor, fracturing his rib cage.

The wind speeds reached up to 73mph, according to local media reports.

The restaurant owner is reported to be in a stable condition.