Low Water Levels Expose WWII German Ships in Danube

Water levels on the Danube River have significantly decreased due to drought, revealing remnants of World War II German battleships. These ships surface as a unique reminder amidst the summer heat crisis. The Danube, the second longest river in Europe, faces record low water levels. This has threatened the operation of power plants, prompting conservation measures across Central and Eastern Europe.

Near the Serbian port of Prahovo, a rusty hull and a broken mast, once bearing the Nazi flag, have emerged in the river separating Serbia and Romania. These ships, many still equipped with weapons, were part of Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet. As they retreated from Romania in September 1944, they scuttled up to 200 warships to hinder the advancing Soviet forces. However, Germany surrendered months later in May 1945.

The sight of these vessels serves as a reminder of ongoing efforts by the Serbian government, supported by the EU, to address this issue. While some ships were removed by Communist Yugoslav authorities, explosives on many ships have kept them underwater.

Currently, efforts focus on maintaining the Danube’s navigability, as reduced water levels pose hazards to ship traffic. The unusually hot weather, linked by experts to global warming, has nearly halted large ship movement. A local resident, Krsta Brandic, observed, “As you can see, the big ships can’t pass anymore.”