A major incident was declared in Shropshire after a colossal sinkhole opened up on a canal, swallowing two narrowboats and sending millions of gallons of water pouring into surrounding fields.
Embankment Collapse Creates 160-Foot Chasm
The dramatic ground failure occurred on Monday, 22 December 2025, in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch, Shropshire. Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports that a 160-foot sinkhole had suddenly appeared along the waterway.
Authorities confirmed the cause was an "embankment failure". The collapse of the canal bank led to a catastrophic release of water, which flooded a large portion of a nearby farmer's land.
Boats Swallowed and Left Teetering on Edge
The incident had a direct and terrifying impact on boaters using the canal at the time. Two canal boats were completely swallowed by the newly formed chasm as the water drained away beneath them.
In a further precarious situation, two other vessels were left teetering on the very edge of the massive hole, requiring careful stabilisation and recovery efforts by specialist teams.
Major Rescue Operation and Aftermath
A significant rescue operation was immediately launched. Emergency crews successfully rescued over a dozen boaters from the affected stretch of the canal. Thankfully, police confirmed there were no reports of any casualties.
The scene has been cordoned off as investigations into the precise cause of the embankment failure begin. The focus will now turn to assessing the full extent of the damage, the environmental impact of the flooding, and the complex task of making the area safe and eventually repairing the breach.
