Low Water Levels in River Reveal Destroyed WW2 Warships

(pictures in link at bottom of article)

Europe is having its worst drought in many years. The Danube river, the second longest river in Europe, now has one of its lowest levels of water in almost a century. Dozens of destroyed German warships from World War Two, some with explosives inside, can now be seen in the river in Serbia, near the town of Prahovo.

As the Nazis retreated from the Soviet army in 1944, they destroyed hundreds of their own ships along the Danube. Today, the destroyed ships still block traffic on the river when the water levels are low.

Scientists say that the drought this year is caused by climate change. More than 20 ships from the bottom of the river are now exposed because of the drought. Some of the ships still have ammunition and explosives inside. The situation is dangerous for shipping.

It’s also dangerous for local fishing businesses in Serbia and Romania, which is just across the river.

River traffic is also being affected in other parts of Europe, like France, Germany and Italy, because of the long drought. In Serbia, the government decided to dredge the Danube so ships can continue to travel.

In March, the Serbian government asked companies for their cheapest offer to remove the destroyed ships and explosives. The cost of the job is around 29 million euros ($30 million).