World War II German warships reappear in Danube as water levels fall

Record low water levels in the Danube River have revealed the hulls of several German warships that were scuttled in September 1944 near the Serbian town of Prahovo. The vessels, part of Nazi Germany's Black Sea fleet, were deliberately sunk as German forces retreated from Romania and faced advancing Soviet troops. Historians estimate that up to 200 ships were abandoned in the Danube gorge to impede the Soviet advance, although the war ended months later in May 1945.

The exposed wrecks include a rusted hull and a broken mast that once flew a Nazi flag, with some ships still containing ammunition. While Communist-era Yugoslav authorities removed a few of the vessels, most remained in place because of the explosives they carried. Serbian officials, supported by European Union funding, have long considered removal but have been constrained by the risk of detonating the ordnance.

The falling water has also impacted navigation on the Danube, which runs through ten countries. Local resident Krsta Brandic said the low levels have nearly halted large-ship traffic, noting that "the (big) ships can’t pass anymore." Authorities are now working to keep the waterway open as the reduced depth creates hazardous conditions for vessels.

The situation coincides with broader energy concerns in Central and Eastern Europe, where low river levels have pressured hydroelectric plants and prompted governments to implement electricity-saving measures. Experts have linked the extreme heat and drought to climate trends, though they note multiple factors contribute to the river's reduced flow.

Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed from Belgrade, Serbia.