Footage has emerged of a circus tiger free from its cage in an incident that injured two children.

The clip, filmed in Linfen City in northern China's Shanxi Province on November 27, shows two circus workers using sticks to prevent a tiger trying to escape the cage while a large crowd gathers.

Video shows the scene after the tiger's escape, with the crowd quickly dispersing and staff chase the animal.

According to local reports, two children had minor scratches but have already left hospital.