Record low Danube levels expose sunken WWII German warships near Prahovo

An extreme drought has pushed the Danube River to its lowest recorded level, exposing the hulks of German warships scuttled in September 1944 as the Nazis retreated from Romania. Historians estimate up to 200 vessels were sunk to slow the Soviet push, and many still hold explosives, which has limited past removal attempts. The exposed wrecks, including a rusted hull with a broken mast, are now visible near the Serbian port of Prahovo, straddling the Serbia-Romania border.

The water shortage is also endangering power-generation facilities, forcing governments in the region to adopt electricity-conservation measures. Krsta Brandic, a resident of Prahovo, said the river’s depth is insufficient for large ships, halting much of the traffic. Serbian officials, supported by European Union financial aid, are planning actions to clear the debris while keeping the Danube, a vital waterway for ten nations, operational.