Major incident declared after sinkhole leaves boats stranded in the UK

Ten people have been helped to safety and emergency services have declared a major incident after a 50-metre sinkhole breached a canal in Shropshire Picture: Andy Kelvin/PA

Ten people have been helped to safety after a 50-metre-long sinkhole breached a canal in Shropshire, leaving several narrow boats stranded.

Emergency services declared a major incident after receiving reports at 4.22am on Monday of a sinkhole causing large volumes of water to escape onto land in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.

Several narrow boats were stranded after the sinkhole cause large volumes of water to flood into land (Andy Kelvin/PA)

Emergency services are currently on scene at the Shropshire Union Canal, and a multi-agency response has been set up, co-ordinated through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group.

West Mercia Police said in a statement: “There are currently no reports of any casualties, and residents are being assisted by the fire service.”

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the incident involved “a significant breach” of the canal.

The brigade said in a statement: “At about 4.22am, Fire Control received reports of a canal bank collapse with large volumes of water escaping into surrounding land.”

Ten people have been helped to safety after a 50-metre-long sinkhole breached a canal in Shropshire, leaving several narrow boats stranded (Andy Kelvin/PA)

It continued: “Crews from Whitchurch, Prees, Shrewsbury, Newport, Albrighton and Telford attended.

“Three boats had been caught in a developing sinkhole approximately 50 metres by 50 metres in size, and crews helped more than 10 members of the public to safety.”

Canal boats were caught in the sinkhole (Andy Kelvin/PA)

Adding: “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.

“We are working with our partners on scene, including West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers, and National Resilience.”

Residents from nearby moored boats were relocated(Andy Kelvin/PA)

Fire service area manager Scott Hurford 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.

“Multi-agency 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.”