The receding water levels of the Danube River have unveiled submerged Nazi warships from WWII, revealing a historical treasure while raising modern challenges.
At a Glance
- A summer drought caused water levels in the River Danube to drop, revealing sunken Nazi ships.
- The German vessels, still containing explosives, were found near the Serbian town of Prahovo.
- Droughts and heat waves have repeatedly exposed these ships in the Danube, Europe’s second-longest river.
- The salvaging of these ships poses a risk of detonation due to submerged munitions.
Historical Discovery Amid Modern Climate Challenges
This summer, Europe’s second-longest river, the Danube, revealed a hidden chapter of World War II history: dozens of Nazi warships scuttled in 1944 re-emerged due to exceptionally low water levels. This phenomenon, driven by summer droughts, has disclosed a veritable graveyard of vessels long believed lost to history. These findings offer a rare opportunity for archaeologists and historians to study the maritime tactics and technologies used by the Third Reich.
The submerged ships were primarily found near Prahovo, Serbia. Among these are minesweepers and other military vessels, still laden with unexploded munitions. The consequences for local communities, wildlife, and the environment are significant. The rising frequency of such exposures is linked to climate changes, as drought conditions worsen across Eastern Europe.
Additional finds have surfaced in Hungary’s Danube-Drava National Park. These artifacts, dating back to pre-1950, provide further historical context. These discoveries are not new; similar occurrences were noted in 2022 when record low water levels exposed dozens of ships.
German warships from World War II resurfaced when the water level of the Danube River dropped. pic.twitter.com/cfJJP6D6sq
— DW News (@dwnews) August 21, 2022
A Dangerous Retrieval Process
While these unearthed vessels represent invaluable historical data, they also present significant dangers. The explosives and munitions they contain pose clear risks to anyone in proximity. Serbian officials have estimated that the removal operations will take approximately a year and a half, with 21 ships planned for extraction. The salvage operations are partly funded by the European Investment Bank and the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
“The Germans were retreating from the Red Army,” said historian Velimir Miki Trailovic.
The extraction process, particularly perilous due to submerged ordinance, aims to mitigate these risks while preserving the historical integrity of the wrecks. The navigation challenges posed by these sunken ships have complicated river traffic, reducing the navigable channel width at Prahovo significantly.
German warships from World War II are resurfacing as the water level of the Danube River continues to drop. pic.twitter.com/KAC7Gn3HZY
— DW News (@dwnews) August 20, 2022
The Impact of Climate Change
The unveiling of these ships is directly tied to climate change consequences, including severe droughts affecting Europe. The European climate service Copernicus has reported critical drought conditions impacting various regions. The Danube River’s lowest recorded level was 1.3 feet in October 2018, highlighting the severity of the current situation.
“Eastern Europe is experiencing critical drought conditions that are affecting crops and vegetation,” the European climate service Copernicus said on its website in its latest drought report published earlier this month.
As rainfall begins to replenish the Danube, there is a likelihood that these historical wrecks will soon be re-submerged. The balancing act of preserving these relics while ensuring public safety and environmental health is delicate and ongoing.
