Major incident as 50-meter sinkhole breaches Shropshire Union Canal in Whitchurch; more than 10 rescued, no injuries reported
Emergency services in Shropshire declared a major incident early Monday after a sinkhole about 50 meters long opened in the Shropshire Union Canal, breaching the bank and draining large volumes of water onto surrounding land in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.
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West Mercia Police said officers were called at 4:20 a.m. to reports of the canal bank collapse. “There are currently no reports of any casualties, and residents are being assisted by the fire service,” the force said.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service described the incident as a “significant breach” of the canal. Crews from Whitchurch, Prees, Shrewsbury, Newport, Albrighton and Telford responded, working in challenging conditions amid unstable ground and rapidly moving water. Firefighters immediately set up upstream and downstream safety sectors and began slowing the flow using barge boards and water gate systems.
Three boats were caught in the developing sinkhole, approximately 50 meters by 50 meters in size, and crews helped more than 10 members of the public to safety, the brigade said. Several other narrowboats were left stranded as water levels dropped.
Area manager Scott Hurford of Shropshire Fire and Rescue said no one is believed to be aboard the affected canal boats and no injuries have been reported. About 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare center at the former Whitchurch Police Station.
The incident prompted a multi-agency response coordinated through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group. Agencies on scene include West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers and National Resilience teams.
A major incident was declared at 5:17 a.m. As of 8:30 a.m., Hurford said the situation was stable, water flow had reduced and there was no ongoing search and rescue activity. Emergency services and partner agencies remain on site to manage environmental impacts, protect nearby properties and ensure public safety.
Authorities urged people to avoid the area while the response continues. No evacuation order has been issued beyond the relocation of those directly affected on the water, and officials said further assessments are being carried out along the canal to evaluate risks and potential damage.
The Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency are working alongside emergency services to address the breach and its effects on water levels and local land. The extent of the damage to the canal infrastructure and the timeline for repairs were not immediately available.
Residents reported dramatic overnight changes in water levels and noise as the bank gave way before dawn. By morning, water across parts of the site had subsided, exposing grounded boats amid sections of collapsed bank, while crews continued containment and monitoring.
Authorities said updates on road access, canal navigation and recovery operations will follow once safety assessments are complete. For now, the public has been asked to steer clear of the Shropshire Union Canal in the Whitchurch area while crews secure the scene and mitigate further risks.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
