World War II Nazi shipwrecks emerge in Serbia as Danube water levels plummet

The Danube River's record low water levels in Serbia have revealed a chilling historical artifact: numerous shipwrecks from the Nazi German navy dating back to World War II. These submerged vessels, located near the port of Prahovo, have become visible due to the extreme drought, drawing curious onlookers.

These wrecks are remnants of a larger fleet that the retreating Nazi navy intentionally sank at the end of the war. The German fleet was attempting to navigate the Danube and escape pursuing Soviet forces. By sinking these approximately 200 vessels, they aimed to make the river impassable for their pursuers.

The concentration of these wrecks in this particular stretch of the Danube, just before the Iron Gates gorge, is a direct consequence of these wartime actions. The sunken ships now present a significant and dangerous obstacle to current Danube shipping traffic, especially during periods of low water.

Recognizing the hazard, the European Union is supporting a program to gradually remove these dangerous Nazi-era ships. As of April this year, seven of the 21 identified wrecks have been successfully recovered, marking progress in clearing the waterway.