The Nazi Relics Emerging From Drought-Stricken Danube
- By Reuters,
- AFP and
- Amos Chapple
Falling water levels in the Danube River have uncovered Nazi warships in Serbia and a military motorcycle in Hungary amid a drought affecting much of Europe.
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People explore the wreckage of a German warship near Prahovo, Serbia, on August 13.
The ship is one of several World War II relics being uncovered by historically low water levels on the Danube River amid an ongoing drought.
The ship is one of several World War II relics being uncovered by historically low water levels on the Danube River amid an ongoing drought.
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A woman explores the German warship near Prahovo on August 13.
Photographer Stefan Stojanovic told RFE/RL there are several WWII-era shipwrecks now visible around the eastern Serbian town of Prahovo. He explored one vessel, which he said felt "a little unsafe" to walk on. "You can feel the material bend under your feet," he added.
Photographer Stefan Stojanovic told RFE/RL there are several WWII-era shipwrecks now visible around the eastern Serbian town of Prahovo. He explored one vessel, which he said felt "a little unsafe" to walk on. "You can feel the material bend under your feet," he added.
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Another German ship visible in the Danube near Prahovo photographed on August 13.
The ships emerging from the water around Prahovo are some of around 200 vessels of Germany's Black Sea Fleet that were scuttled in 1944. The mass sinking was ordered to prevent the fleet falling into the hands of the advancing Soviet Army and hamper their river navigation.
The ships emerging from the water around Prahovo are some of around 200 vessels of Germany's Black Sea Fleet that were scuttled in 1944. The mass sinking was ordered to prevent the fleet falling into the hands of the advancing Soviet Army and hamper their river navigation.
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Elsewhere along the drought-shrunken Danube, other war relics are being exposed. This Nazi motorcycle had lain on the riverbed near Budapest's parliament building for more than 80 years before emerging in early August.
Hungary's national water authority reported the Danube's level in Budapest is at the lowest level recorded.
Hungary's national water authority reported the Danube's level in Budapest is at the lowest level recorded.
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Near the motorcycle, the remains of two Nazi soldiers were recovered that included the troops' name tags, on which the words "Waffen SS" can be seen, as well as a medal (bottom) awarded for service on the Taman Peninsula of today's Russia.
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A local fisherman steers his dinghy away from a German shipwreck near Prahovo on August 13.
Several of the area's sunken German vessels have been removed in recent years to aid maritime navigation, but the work has been complicated by the discovery of explosives inside some of the wrecks.
Several of the area's sunken German vessels have been removed in recent years to aid maritime navigation, but the work has been complicated by the discovery of explosives inside some of the wrecks.
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In August 2024, a team from Serbia's Mine Action Center discovered these unexploded munitions while hauling a German vessel out of the Danube near Prahovo.
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An exposed sandbank on the Danube near Serbia's northern city of Novi Sad on August 7.
Several WWII-era explosives have been discovered near Novi Sad amid the ongoing drought, including a mortar shell and aerial bomb.
Several WWII-era explosives have been discovered near Novi Sad amid the ongoing drought, including a mortar shell and aerial bomb.
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An exposed patch of riverbed in Budapest seen on July 29.
In Budapest, various munitions have been uncovered in recent days including what is believed to be a 19th-century cannonball. Authorities in several countries along the Danube have warned people not to touch any unusual objects and to call the police if military objects are found.
In Budapest, various munitions have been uncovered in recent days including what is believed to be a 19th-century cannonball. Authorities in several countries along the Danube have warned people not to touch any unusual objects and to call the police if military objects are found.
