Dramatic CCTV footage has captured the terrifying moment surgeons in Japan protected a patient after a powerful earthquake struck in the middle of an operation.

The incident occurred at a hospital in Kumamoto, where doctors were performing surgery when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake violently shook the operating room.

The footage, recorded on July 28, shows the operating theatre beginning to sway before the tremor intensifies, sending staff stumbling as equipment and objects are thrown across the room.

Despite the chaos, two surgeons immediately held the operating table steady and shielded the patient while the lights flickered on and off. Another member of the medical team was knocked to the floor while attempting to secure moving equipment.

According to Japanese media reports, the surgical team successfully resumed the procedure after the shaking stopped and completed the operation without further incident.

The hospital later returned to normal operations on August 5, with no disruption to its medical services.