Key facts
- Record low water levels are present in Europe's Danube River.
- Dozens of World War II German warships have emerged from the Danube.
- The warships were part of Adolf Hitler's Black Sea fleet.
- The ships were deliberately sunk in 1944.
- The drought and heat wave are causing an energy crisis across Europe.
- Record temperatures have been recorded across Europe.
- Serbia is battling multiple wildfires.
- Helicopters and the army are being used to combat fires in Serbia.
- Some Serbian fires are near protected nature reserves and towns.
- Neighboring countries, including Montenegro, are also experiencing wildfires.
Europe is grappling with a severe drought and record-breaking heat wave, leading to a multitude of crises across the continent. In the Danube River, record low water levels have exposed dozens of World War II German warships. These vessels were part of Adolf Hitler's Black Sea fleet and were deliberately sunk in 1944. The exposed wrecks not only serve as a stark reminder of the past but also pose potential navigational hazards.
The drought and extreme heat are also fueling an energy crisis. Low river levels, including in the Danube, are impacting shipping and the generation of hydroelectric power. This strain on energy systems is compounded by the increased demand for cooling.