A major incident has been declared in Shropshire after a huge sinkhole caused a canal to collapse, sending narrowboats tumbling into the void. The dramatic event unfolded in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch on the morning of 22 December 2025.
Scene of Chaos in Whitchurch
Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of the sudden ground collapse. Shocking photographs from the site show the devastating aftermath, with sections of the canal bank completely giving way. Multiple narrowboats, which were moored along the affected stretch, were seen partially submerged or collapsing into the newly formed chasm.
The scale of the ground movement was significant enough for authorities to formally declare a major incident. This designation allows for the coordination of multiple emergency services and agencies to manage the response, ensure public safety, and begin assessing the structural damage to the surrounding area.
Response and Immediate Impact
Teams from the Canal & River Trust, alongside local fire and rescue services and police, are leading the operation. Their immediate priorities are to secure the area, prevent further collapse, and ensure no one was injured in the incident. The condition of the narrowboats involved is yet to be fully assessed.
Local residents and boat owners have been urged to avoid the vicinity while investigations and stabilisation work are underway. The collapse has also raised concerns about potential damage to nearby infrastructure and utilities, with assessments ongoing.
What Happens Next?
The focus will now shift to understanding the cause of the sinkhole and planning a complex recovery. Geotechnical engineers will be tasked with examining the ground conditions to determine why the collapse occurred. This will be followed by a lengthy process of making the area safe and eventually repairing the historic canal.
Such an event on a Shropshire canal is highly unusual and will have a notable impact on the local waterways community and tourism. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the powerful and unpredictable forces that can shape the landscape, even in built environments.
