US EditionMajor incident declared as sinkhole drains canal and swallows narrowboats
A 50m sinkhole drained part of the canal, stranding boats and prompting rescue of over 10 people, triggering a multi-agency response to manage environmental and safety risks.
- On Monday, December 22, 2025, West Mercia Police declared a major incident after reports of a sinkhole affecting a canal in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch, Shropshire, and emergency services set up a multi-agency response coordinated by the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group.
- A canal landslip reportedly caused a sinkhole draining a canal section, catching three boats in a 50 metres by 50 metres collapse, with two narrowboats sitting on the canal bed.
- Fire crews rescued 10 people from boats on the Shropshire Union Canal while approximately 12 residents from moored boats were relocated to the former Whitchurch Police Station welfare centre, as firefighters established safety sectors and mitigated water flow.
- A major incident was declared at 5.17am and, as of 8.30am, the situation was stable with reduced water flow and no search activity; an emergency closure remains between Lock 6 Grindley Locks and Bridge 31A, Whitchurch By-Pass bridge.
- The Canal & River Trust has put an alert on its website, and images show a drained canal section with boats on the bed, as residents report drones and police since around 5am.
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67 Articles
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Giant Shropshire sinkhole collapses canal and strands narrowboats
A major incident was declared in Shropshire early this morning after a giant hole appeared, emptying part of the Llangollen Canal. The bank collapsed in Whitchurch, sending a huge amount of water pouring into the surrounding land and leaving two narrow boats stranded on the canal bed. Rescuers helped at least ten people to safety.
Aerial images show boats blocked after the opening of a gulf under a canal, which emptied from its water, in Whitchurch (England).
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