Emergency services have declared a major incident after a massive sinkhole breached the Shropshire Union Canal near Whitchurch, leaving several narrow boats stranded and forcing urgent rescues.

Authorities were alerted at approximately 4.22am on Monday after reports that a 50-metre-long sinkhole had caused a section of the canal to collapse, allowing large volumes of water to escape onto surrounding land in the Chemistry area of the town. The sudden breach left boats grounded and raised concerns about further structural instability.

Ten people were assisted to safety as emergency crews quickly responded to the scene. No serious injuries have been reported, but officials say the situation remains complex due to the scale of the damage and the ongoing risk of ground movement.

A multi-agency response has been established, coordinated through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group, bringing together emergency services, local authorities, and infrastructure specialists. Crews are working to secure the area, assess the damage, and prevent additional flooding or collapse.

Residents have been urged to avoid the area while investigations continue. Officials say repairs are expected to be extensive, and disruption to canal traffic and nearby land is likely to continue as safety assessments and recovery efforts move forward.