A heartbreaking video has emerged from China of the aftermath of a house collapse, during which a mum and dad sacrificed their lives to protect their six-year-old daughter.

The footage, filmed in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province on Monday, initially shows rescue workers sifting through the rubble, then shows the young girl in her parent's arms.

The man and the woman reportedly used their own bodies to protect the girl from the falling debris and were crushed and killed, but the girl survived.

She was taken to hospital, and after being treated by doctors, is expected to recover.