A major incident was declared after a man-made embankment collapsed along the Llangollen Canal in Whitchurch, Shropshire in the U.K., causing water to drain into nearby fields and leaving a large trench where the canal bed gave way.
The failure was initially mistaken for a sinkhole and occurred shortly after 04:00 GMT and left at least two narrowboats submerged in the cavity while others were left dangerously perched on the edge.
According to British state media, around 50 firefighters responded, evacuating up to 15 people from their boats, with no injuries reported.
Witnesses described loud crashing and rushing water that woke residents, some fearing an earthquake. Engineers from the Canal and River Trust said the 200-year-old embankment had unexpectedly failed, and while the canal has since been secured to prevent further flooding, recovery work and repairs are expected to take an extended period.
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. pic.twitter.com/obg1NEf0Wc
— UNN (@UnityNewsNet) December 22, 2025
