Major incident declared in Whitchurch as huge 50 metre sinkhole swallows canal

Emergency services are responding to a landslip and have confirmed that a canal was affected.

By Paul Withers, Brand Content Editor, Lauran O'Toole, Senior Reporter
10:37, Mon, Dec 22, 2025 Updated: 13:04, Mon, Dec 22, 2025
A major incident has been declared after a huge 50 metre  'sinkhole' swallowed a canal in Shropshire, with boats caught up in the terrifying incident. Dramatic images reveal a large breach in the canal in Whitchurch’s Chemistry area.

At around 4.22am, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) received reports of a canal bank collapse with large volumes of water escaping into surrounding land. Three boats had been caught in the developing sinkhole approximately 50 metres by 50 metres in size. Crews battled through 'unstable ground and rapidly moving water' as they began the rescued and helped more than 10 members of the public to safety. 

The huge 50 metre 'sinkhole' swallowed a canal in Shropshire

The huge 50 metre 'sinkhole' swallowed a canal in Shropshire (Image: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service )

Shropshire canal sinkhole

Emergency services are responding to a landslip and confirmed a canal was affected. (Image: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service)

There are no reports of casualties and crews are urging the public to avoid the area.

The fire service immediately established upstream and downstream safety sectors and began mitigating water flow using barge boards and water gate systems.

Also at the scene is the West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service (including HART), the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers and National Resilience.

    • Area Manager Scott Hurford said that 12 residents on nearby moored boats have been relocated and there is no ongoing search and rescue activity. 

Locals have been urged to avoid the area

Locals have been urged to avoid the area (Image: @bbcmtd/X)

He said: "We can confirm no persons are believed to be on board the affected canal boats, and no injuries have been reported. 
 
"Approximately 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare centre at the former Whitchurch Police Station.
 
"A major incident was declared at 5.17am however as of 8.30am the situation was stable with water flow reduced and there is no ongoing search and rescue activity.
 
"Multiagency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety. Please avoid the area while we continue to deal with this significant incident."

12 residents have been relocated to a welfare centre

12 residents have been relocated to a welfare centre (Image: @bbcmtd/X)

The Canal and River Trust described the incident as a breach on the canal, and said its priority was the safety of boaters and those in the immediate area.

"We are carrying out initial investigations into the possible cause of the breach and will provide more details in due course," it said.

"We will also seek to return water levels either side of the breach as soon as possible and are providing support to the boaters affected and those in the immediate area either side of the breach."