Drought exposes WWII warships and mammoth bones in Danube River

Record low water levels in the Danube River, Europe's second-longest river, have been exposed by prolonged drought and extreme heat across the continent. In Serbia, the receding waters near Prahovo have revealed sunken German warships from World War II, drawing swimmers to the unusual sight.

Flowing through ten countries, the Danube has experienced historically low levels since May due to insufficient rainfall and persistent heatwaves. In Hungary, the exposed riverbed near Budapest's Margaret Bridge has become a walking path for citizens. The low water levels have also led to the grounding of ships on sandbanks in Serbia.

In Bulgaria, the low water levels have led to a remarkable discovery: the bones of a mammoth, believed to be a survivor from the Ice Age. AFP reported that fragments of a lower jaw, tusks, and other bone pieces, identified as belonging to a young woolly mammoth, were found near Ruse. Museum experts are examining the bones, which have been preserved in the muddy riverbed.

The drought's impact extends beyond historical relics. Some countries are facing electricity shortages as nuclear power plants, which rely on river water for cooling, have been forced to halt or reduce operations. This situation highlights the cascading effects of climate change on infrastructure and natural resources across Europe.