Drought Reveals WWII German Warships in Danube River

The Danube River, Europe’s second-longest river, has experienced a significant drop in water levels due to drought conditions. This has exposed the hulls of numerous German warships from World War II, creating a striking visual amid Europe’s intense heat crisis. The low water levels have also impacted power stations, pushing them toward shutdown as governments across Europe take steps to conserve electricity.

At the section of the river dividing Serbia and Romania near the Serbian port of Prahovo, a rusty hull and broken mast, once flying the Nazi flag, are now visible. The ships, some still laden with weapons, were part of the Black Sea fleet that Germany intentionally scuttled while retreating from Romania as Soviet forces advanced into Europe towards the end of the war.

Historians note that up to 200 German warships were purposely sunk in September 1944 near Prahovo, in the Danube gorge, under Soviet fire. This was intended to slow the Soviet advance in the Balkans, but Nazi Germany ultimately surrendered months later in May 1945.

The sight of these old warships acts as a reminder of ongoing efforts by the Serbian government, with financial support from the European Union, to address the situation. Some ships were removed from the river by communist Yugoslav authorities, yet most remain due to the explosives they carried.

Presently, authorities are working to maintain traffic along the Danube, which flows through ten countries, as the falling water levels create hazardous conditions. Experts link the extreme heat to global warming and other factors. Krsta Brandic, a Prahovo resident, remarked on the situation, “As you can see, the large ships can no longer pass.”

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Contributing journalist: Dusan Stojanovic reporting from Belgrade.

This story was translated from English by an AP editor with assistance from a generative AI tool.