Watch WWII-Era Shipwrecks Resurface From the Depths of the Danube River

A haunting reminder of World War II has resurfaced along the Danube River in Serbia, where several German ships from the war era have emerged from the depths. These wrecks, once part of Germany’s Black Sea Fleet, have become visible due to an extended drought that caused the river’s water levels to drop. The sudden appearance of these vessels offers a rare glimpse into the past, revealing relics that have been submerged for decades.

A History of Wartime Wrecks Resurfacing Along the Danube

This event is not entirely new. In 2022, a similar occurrence was reported when other wartime ships rose from the riverbed near the Serbian town of Prahovo. This recent emergence, however, is especially significant because it follows months of drought, exposing ships that had long been forgotten. Some of the vessels still have their turrets and command bridges intact, while their battered hulls and broken masts serve as a reminder of the war’s destruction.

The Danube River played a vital role during the early years of World War II. The river runs through several key countries, and Germany, along with its allies, controlled much of this territory during the war. In 1944, when the Soviet Red Army began advancing, Germany’s Black Sea Fleet deliberately sank around 200 of its own ships in the Danube to prevent them from falling into Soviet hands. Over 20 of these ships were scuttled near Prahovo, adding to the underwater graveyard of vessels along this stretch of the river.

Although these ships have been submerged for decades, their sudden reappearance has brought new concerns. Some of the ships reportedly still contain explosives, creating a serious risk for anyone coming too close to the wrecks. The dangers are not limited to potential explosions; river traffic has been affected as well. Ships navigating the Danube must exercise extreme caution to avoid running aground on the partially exposed wrecks.

Navigational Hazards and the Threat of Looting

Damir Vladic, the manager of the port in Prahovo, has expressed concern about the difficulties these shipwrecks pose to navigation. He mentioned that even a slight deviation from the navigable route can result in an incident, causing ships to run aground on the exposed wrecks. These hazards have made river navigation through the area increasingly treacherous, requiring captains to remain alert as they steer their vessels through the water.

In addition to the navigation challenges, there have also been reports of looting. As the wrecks have become visible, curious onlookers have flocked to the site to get a glimpse of these historic vessels. Some visitors, however, have taken more than just photos. Parts of the wrecks have gone missing, raising concerns among officials about the preservation of these historically significant remains. Endre Sztellik, a guard at Danube-Dráva National Park in Hungary, where similar wrecks have emerged, shared his frustration about the situation. He noted that pieces of the wrecks have disappeared as visitors try to take home pieces of history, further diminishing the wrecks’ condition.

Wartime Wrecks and Recovery Efforts

In Hungary, four other ships, also dating back to before 1950, have surfaced at the Danube-Dráva National Park. While these vessels are not directly connected to the events near Prahovo, they add to the broader picture of the Danube’s wartime history. The river, which stretches across much of Europe, served as a key route for military operations during World War II. As Germany and its allies used the river for transportation and supply, it became a crucial battleground in the war’s later stages, especially when the Red Army began its push towards victory.

The resurfacing of these ships has drawn attention from both historians and the general public. There is a growing interest in recovering some of the wrecks, especially those that pose a risk to public safety. The Serbian government has already outlined a plan to remove 21 of the ships from the Danube, but the process will be long and costly. One of the main obstacles is the unknown amount of munitions still aboard the vessels, which will require careful removal to avoid accidents. The cleanup operation is expected to take a significant amount of time, but it is seen as a necessary step to ensure the safety of the river and its surrounding communities.