A major incident has been declared after a huge sinkhole opened up beneath a canal in Shropshire. 

At least ten people have been rescued from narrowboats after the crater, around 50 metres by 50 metres in size, started to develop at 4.22am in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.

Firefighters were called to rescue occupants of three narrowboats after the section of the canal they were moored in completely drained of water. 

Two narrowboats have fallen into the hole and are left sitting on the canal bed today. 

Crews battled through ‘unstable ground and rapidly moving water’ as they began to rescue more than 10 members of the public. 

The canal bank collapsed leaving large volumes of water escaping into the surrounding land.

Residents have been urged to avoid the area, while emergency services respond to the incident. 

A ‘multi-agency’ response has since been set up but no injuries have been reported. 

A sinkhole, 50 metres by 50 metres in size opened up in a canal in Shropshire

Firefighters rushed to rescue around 10 crew members from canal boats as the sinkhole opened up 

Water rapidly drained from the section of the canal where three narrowboats were moored

Three boats were caught up in a section of the canal which completely drained with water 

Fire crews were joined by West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service (including HART), the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers, and National Resilience.

A spokesperson for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Firefighters have been working in challenging conditions with unstable ground and rapidly moving water, crews immediately established upstream and downstream safety sectors and began mitigating water flow using barge boards and water gate systems.’

Area Manager Scott Hurford added: ‘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.’

The Canal and River Trust (CRT) advised boaters and residents that an emergency closure is in place along the canal.

A spokesperson for the CRT said: ‘Please be advised that due to an incident, there is an emergency closure in place between Lock 6 Grindley Locks and Bridge 31A, Whitchurch By-Pass bridge.

‘Please do not approach from either direction and we will provide an update in due course.’

The canal bank collapsed leaving large volumes of water escaping into the surrounding land

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: ‘A major incident had been declared in Shropshire following reports of a sinkhole affecting a canal in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.

‘Emergency services are currently on scene, and a multi-agency response has been set up, co-ordinated through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group (TCG).

‘There are currently no reports of any casualties, and residents are being assisted by the fire service.

‘We ask that people avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Further updates will be provided when we are able to do so.’

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