Europe’s prolonged summer heatwave has driven water levels in the Danube River to unusually low levels, revealing dozens of German warships that were deliberately sunk by retreating Nazi forces during the Second World War.Near the Serbian town of Prahovo, the receding river has exposed the rusting remains of vessels scuttled in the autumn of 1944 as German troops withdrew before the advancing Soviet Red Army. The ships were intentionally sunk to prevent military equipment from falling into enemy hands and to block the Danube, Europe’s second-longest river, in an attempt to slow the Soviet advance.The wrecks, many of which reappear whenever drought causes the river to shrink, have become increasingly visible as persistent heat and dry weather grip much of Europe. The blockade created more than 80 years ago continues to affect navigation along a five-kilometre stretch of the river, posing hazards to commercial shipping.An EU-backed project under the Western Balkans Investment Framework is working to remove 21 of the most dangerous wrecks. According to the European Investment Bank, salvage operations began in 2024, with recovered vessels hauled from the riverbed using heavy lifting equipment before being cleared of mud. The project is expected to continue until 2028.Before the work began, officials estimated that around 200 vessels, including warships, cargo ships, barges and tugboats, lay submerged in the area.The resurfacing wrecks are the latest reminder of the impact of Europe’s extreme weather. Since late May, much of the continent has endured intense heatwaves and prolonged drought. The United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe said June 2026 was the second-warmest June on record across Europe, with western Europe experiencing its hottest June ever recorded.
