A massive sinkhole has occurred in a canal in Shropshire, England, leaving two boats stuck in deep mud and emergency services have declared a “major accident”.
Images released by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service show two canal boats trapped in the approximately 50 x 50 meter (approximately 164 sq ft) sinkhole, with a third boat tipped into the sinkhole.
A canal boat is a long vessel designed to navigate Britain’s narrow canal system. Historically, boats were used to transport cargo, but have since evolved into floating homes and are also used for recreational purposes.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said on Monday that rescue teams responded to a “significant breach” in the Shropshire Union Canal in the historic market town of Whitchurch, near the Welsh border.
Scott Harford, the service’s area manager, said a “major incident” was declared at 5:17 a.m., but the situation was later declared “stable.” Search and rescue operations have since ended, he added.
He said there are currently no people believed to be on board the affected boats and no injuries have been reported.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said rescuers were working in difficult conditions due to unstable ground and “rapidly flowing water” but managed to get more than 10 residents to safety. The service provided no further information about these people.
Emergency services asked the public to avoid the area while teams continued to respond to the incident.
The Canal and River Trust, Britain’s largest canal charity, said on Monday: “We are carrying out an initial investigation into the possible causes of the breach and will provide further details in due course.”
“Our teams are on scene and have dammed the affected section of the canal. Our priority is the safety of those on the boat and those in their vicinity,” the charity said in a statement.
