Emergency services have declared a major incident in Shropshire after a significant sinkhole opened up, affecting a canal in the Whitchurch area.
Emergency Response Underway
The incident, reported on Monday 22 December 2025, is centred on the Chemistry area of Whitchurch. A multi-agency response, coordinated by the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group (TCG), is currently managing the situation. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is leading the operational response on the ground.
Authorities have confirmed there are currently no reports of any casualties. Fire crews are assisting residents in the vicinity as a precautionary measure.
Scene of the Sinkhole
An image obtained by Sky News reveals the scale of the disruption. A whole section of the canal has been completely drained of water. The sinkhole has caused two narrowboats to fall into the cavity, where they now rest on the exposed canal bed.
In a statement posted on X, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service described the event as a "landslip affecting the canal." They have issued a public safety plea, urging people to stay away from the affected zone.
Public Safety Warning
"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 fire service stated.
The full cause of the sinkhole is not yet known, and investigations are ongoing. The emergency services are expected to remain on site for some time to assess the structural stability of the area and plan the recovery of the vessels.
