Emergency services have descended on a canal in east Manchester after a man was tragically found dead.
Police and firefighters were called out to the Rochdale Canal, in Miles Platting, at around 10.30am this morning (April 18).
Greater Manchester Police confirmed a body was found in the water. There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
A force spokesperson said: "Officers were called to a report of a body in the water near Varley Street in Manchester just after 10.30am am today (Friday, April 18 2025).
"Emergency services attended and a man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
"Enquiries remain on-going, at this time there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances."
Emergency services were seen working on the canal, close to Varley Street.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Just after 10:30am this morning (Friday, April 18), two fire engines from Philips Park and Moss Side fire station, along with the Technical Response Unit from Ashton and Water Incident Unit from Eccles, attended an incident at Varley Street, Miles Platting.
"Firefighters were in attendance for around 40 minutes."
Images from the scene show multiple emergency services vehicles parked up close to the canal.
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Key Events
Man found dead in canal
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End of live coverage
That concludes our live coverage from this incident.
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Scene near Victoria Mill
Emergency services have been in attendance close to Victoria Mill.
Police say they were called to this spot just along from Victoria Mill at 10:38 this morning to reports of a body in the water. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances at this stage @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/LVIog4LROZ
— Greta Simpson (@gretamsimpson) April 18, 2025
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Officer at the scene
Police remain in attendance this afternoon.
Good afternoon. I’m at the scene by Rochdale Canal in Miles Platting, where this morning police made the sad discovery of the body of a man in the water @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/mMWhCznCY2
— Greta Simpson (@gretamsimpson) April 18, 2025
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Support available
Help is available for anyone who may be struggling.
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Cordon in place
Officers remain at the scene and a cordon is in place.
A forensic tent is on the towpath.
KEY EVENT
Man found dead in canal
Greater Manchester Police says a man has sadly been found dead in the canal.
A force spokesperson said:
"Officers were called to a report of a body in the water near Varley Street in Manchester just after 10.30am am today (Friday, April 18 2025).
"Emergency services attended and a man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
"Enquiries remain on-going, at this time there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances."
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Forensics at the scene
Crime scene investigators are among officers at the scene this afternoon.
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Fire service statement
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said:
"Just after 10:30am this morning (Friday, April 18), two fire engines from Philips Park and Moss Side fire station, along with the Technical Response Unit from Ashton and Water Incident Unit from Eccles, attended an incident at Varley Street, Miles Platting.
"Firefighters were in attendance for around 40 minutes."
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Crews respond to incident
Firefighters and police have been in attendance following a 'serious incident' on the Rochdale Canal.
Emergency services were called out to the scene at around 10.30am this morning, in Miles Platting, east Manchester.
The exact nature of the incident is yet to be confirmed.
Firefighters worked at the scene for around 40 minutes.
Police have been approached for further details.
Updates will be posted in this blog as soon as they are available.
