Key facts
- Event
- Second World War German battleships emerge due to low Danube water levels
- Location
- Near Serbian port of Prahovo, in the river separating Serbia and Romania
- Ships scuttled
- Up to 200 German warships scuttled in September 1944
- Reason for scuttling
- To slow down the Soviet advance in the Balkans
- Current impact
- Power plants on brink of shutting down; ship traffic almost stopped
- Expert view
- Unusually hot weather linked to global warming and other factors
Background
Water levels on the Danube River, the second longest in Europe, have dropped so low because of drought that the hulks of dozens of Second World War German battleships are emerging into view.
The ships, some still laden with weapons, belonged to Nazi Germany's Black Sea fleet that the Germans deliberately sank as they retreated from Romania and as Soviet forces advanced deeper into Europe near the end of the war.
Historians say up to 200 German warships were scuttled in September 1944 near Prahovo in the Danube gorge as they came under Soviet fire. The idea behind the deliberate sinking was to slow down the Soviet advance in the Balkans, but Nazi Germany surrendered months later, in May 1945.
Current situation
In the middle of the river separating Serbia and Romania near the Serbian port of Prahovo, a rusty hull is now visible along with a broken mast where the Nazi flag used to fly.
The Danube's record low water levels have also forced power plants to the brink of shutting down, and governments across Central and Eastern Europe are taking steps to conserve electricity.
Experts have linked the unusually hot weather to global warming and other factors. Krsta Brandic, a Prahovo resident, said the low water levels have almost stopped ship traffic, adding: "As you can see, the (big) ships can't pass anymore."
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| River length rank | Second longest in Europe |
| Number of nations Danube flows through | 10 |
| Warships scuttled near Prahovo | Up to 200 |
| Month and year of scuttling | September 1944 |
| Nazi Germany surrender | May 1945 |
| Resident comment | Big ships can't pass anymore |
Impacts
The sight of the old warships is a reminder that the Serbian government, with European Union financial support, has long been trying to do something about them. Some were removed from the river by Communist Yugoslav authorities, but most have remained because of the explosives they carried.
Now, however, authorities are trying to keep traffic flowing on the Danube, which flows through 10 nations, as the dropping water levels create dangerous conditions. The low water levels have almost stopped ship traffic, affecting navigation and potentially disrupting trade and transport along the river.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If drought conditions persist and water levels continue to drop, more of the scuttled warships could become visible, and power plants may be forced to shut down, leading to electricity shortages in the region.
Authorities may intensify efforts to remove the remaining ships, especially those carrying explosives, to ensure safe navigation. However, the process could be slow and costly, and the presence of explosives poses a risk.
If global warming continues to cause unusually hot weather, similar low-water events on the Danube could become more frequent, affecting the 10 nations the river flows through and requiring long-term adaptation measures.
Source: falmouthpacket.co.uk
