The level of the Danube dropped dramatically and German warships sunk in World War II appeared

The worst drought for years in Europe it dropped the river level Danube to one of the lowest levels ever recorded in a century, with the result that near the town of Prahovo the remains of dozens of German warships sunk during the World War II.

These ships, which were packed with explosives, were some of the hundreds which were sunk in the Danube in 1944 as the German Black Sea Fleet retreated in the face of advancing Soviet forces. To this day, shipwrecks still impede navigation on the river when the water level drops.

This year’s drought, which scientists say is a consequence of global warming, has brought back to light more than 20 skeletons of these ships in a stretch of the Danube in eastern Serbia. Some of these ships contain tons of ammunition and explosives and are considered a danger to navigation. “The German flotilla left behind an ecological disaster that threatens us, the residents of Prahovo,” commented 74-year-old Velimir Trailovic, a retired resident of the town who has written a book about the ships.

Workers in the local fishing industry are also at risk.

The months-long drought and high temperatures are causing river levels to drop in other parts of Europe as well, such as in Germany, Italy and France. In Serbia, authorities resorted to dredging to keep navigation lanes open on the Danube. In the area of ​​Prahovo, due to sunken warships, the navigable section of the Danube has been reduced to 100 meters, from 180 before.

In March, the Serbian government announced a tender to clean up the river and remove ammunition and explosives. The cost is estimated to reach 29 million euros.