A severe drought across Europe has caused water levels in the Danube River to drop to their lowest points in nearly a century. This environmental shift has revealed the hulls of dozens of Nazi-era warships that have remained submerged near the Serbian town of Prahovo since the end of World War II.

Historical records indicate that these vessels were part of a German Black Sea fleet. In 1944, as Soviet forces pushed toward the region, the German commanders ordered the ships to be scuttled to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. The wrecks have long been considered a navigational hazard, as they significantly narrow the navigable section of the river, particularly during periods of low water. While the ships are now visible, they still contain unexploded ordnance and ammunition, posing a potential safety risk to local residents and river traffic. Serbian authorities have previously discussed plans to remove the wrecks to improve river safety and navigation, though the project remains complex due to the presence of explosives and the sheer scale of the sunken fleet.