China’s deadliest earthquake in 13 years struck Jishishan county at 23:59 local time (1559 GMT) on Monday.
Surveillance footage from a restaurant in Linxia City – around 50km (30 miles) from the epicentre of the Gansu earthquake – shows the moment of impact.
Customers and staff appear to notice the initial tremor, pausing for a moment before scrambling for the exit all at once.
At least 127 people have been killed and more than 700 reported injured.
Video by Gem O’Reilly and Simran Sohal.