Chinese soldiers have managed to dig out a worker who became buried up to the nose in sand.

The man was engulfed in a 6m-deep and 10m-wide sand heap, with only his nose exposed to allow for breathing, Chinese state media reported.

In order to improve and stabilize the trapped man's worsening condition, the rescue workers supplied him with an oxygen tube and some water.

A soldier passed these items on, while lying on a ladder that had been placed across wooden planks, which in turn had been rammed into the sand in order to stabilize the sand around the trapped man.

Once they had confirmed the state of the victim and set up the scene, the rescue workers started shoveling with metal spades.

They eventually unearthed the man and were able to send him to hospital.