SHROPSHIRE, UK – A major incident was declared in the early hours of Monday morning after a massive sinkhole breached the Shropshire Union Canal near Whitchurch, causing canal boats to become stranded and forcing the evacuation of residents.
The Incident At approximately 4:22 AM, emergency services received reports of a “significant breach” in the canal bank in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch. A sinkhole, measuring roughly 50 metres by 50 metres, opened up suddenly, causing millions of gallons of water to drain rapidly into the surrounding fields.
Rescue and Impact
- People Rescued: Firefighters helped more than 10 people to safety from the immediate danger zone.
- Boats Affected: At least three narrowboats were caught in the crater; images from the scene show vessels tilted at extreme angles or stuck in deep mud at the bottom of the sinkhole.
- Evacuations: Around 12 residents living on nearby moored boats have been relocated to a welfare centre established at the former Whitchurch Police Station.
Current Status By 8:30 AM, authorities confirmed the situation had stabilized. Fire crews used barge boards and water gate systems to stem the flow of water. While the immediate search and rescue phase has ended, a multi-agency response involving the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust remains on-site to assess the long-term environmental and structural damage. No injuries have been reported.
