Water levels on the Danube River, Europe’s second longest river, have sunk dramatically due to drought. This has exposed the remains of numerous World War II German battleships. These remnants distract from the ongoing summer heat crisis.

Record low levels on the Danube have pushed power plants near shutdown across Central and Eastern Europe. Governments are implementing measures to conserve electricity.

Near the Serbian port of Prahovo, on the border between Serbia and Romania, a rusty hull and a broken mast are now visible. The Nazi flag once flew from this mast.

The warships were part of Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet. They were intentionally submerged by the Germans during their retreat from Romania at the end of the war, as Soviet forces advanced deeper into Europe. Historians note that up to 200 German ships were scuttled in September 1944 near Prahovo in the Danube gorge due to Soviet attacks. The mission was to delay the Soviet advance in the Balkans. Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945.

The sight of these old vessels reminds us that efforts to address them have been ongoing. With support from the European Union, the Serbian government has tried to remove them. Communist Yugoslav authorities previously removed some ships, but most remain due to the explosives onboard.

Authorities now focus on maintaining traffic flow on the Danube, which runs through 10 countries, as dropping water levels pose risks. Experts connect the unusual heat to global warming and other causes. Local resident Krsta Brandic noted that the low water levels have nearly halted ship traffic, stating, “As you can see, the (big) ships can’t pass anymore.”

Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed from Belgrade, Serbia.