Emergency services have declared a major incident in Shropshire after a significant sinkhole opened up and breached a canal, causing substantial flooding and swallowing at least two narrowboats.
Early Morning Collapse Triggers Crisis
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service received the first emergency call at 4.22am on Monday 22 December 2025. The reports indicated that the bank of the canal in the Chemistry area near Whitchurch had catastrophically collapsed. This breach allowed large volumes of water to escape from the canal, flooding the surrounding land.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and immediately began efforts to control the flow. They deployed barge boards and water gates in a bid to mitigate the water escaping from the breach. Their primary objective was to establish safe upstream and downstream sectors to manage the ongoing incident and prevent further damage.
Scale of the Damage and Evacuations
The sinkhole itself is reported to be approximately 50 metres by 50 metres in size. This substantial cavity has directly affected three narrowboats. Authorities confirm that at least two of these boats have been swallowed by the sinkhole.
While there are currently no reports of any casualties, the incident has forced the evacuation of around a dozen residents from nearby moored boats. These individuals are being relocated to a welfare centre that has been established at the former Whitchurch Police Station.
Multi-Agency Emergency Response
A coordinated multi-agency response is underway, managed through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group (TCG). Emergency services remain on the scene, dealing with the complex aftermath of the landslip and the subsequent flooding.
In a statement issued on X, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to stay clear. "For everyone's safety, members of the public are kindly asked to remain away from the affected area, including Whitchurch Marina, while crews and partners manage the incident," the service said.
The full extent of the damage and the cause of the sinkhole are yet to be determined as the emergency response continues.
