Shipwrecks in the Danube: Mystery vessels uncovered near Mohács

The low level of the Danube has revealed shipwrecks from before 1950 near the city of Mohács. The discovery has sparked interest among researchers trying to determine their origin. The ongoing drought and heatwaves contribute to the drop in the river's water level.

The low water level in the Danube has revealed shipwrecks whose origin remains a mystery.

Near the city of Mohács, where the river has reached a depth of just 1.5 metres, four vessels from before 1950 have been discovered. They are still equipped with turrets and captains' bridges.

We still don't know what this is exactly – admitted Endre Sztellik, a ranger of the Danube-Drava National Park, where the wrecks were discovered.

As RVN highlights, shipwreck expert Ferenc Toth points to the need for further research to better understand these vessels' histories.

This is not the first time the Danube has revealed ships hidden underwater – similar discoveries occurred, for example, in 2018.

The river's low water level is attributed to recent heatwaves and drought, which affected it in July and August. On Tuesday in Budapest, it was only 1.2 metres, while during floods, it can exceed 8 metres.

TVN reminds us that similar discoveries also appear in Serbia, near the river port of Prahovo. Many of these wrecks are ships sunk by the retreating German army in 1944 during the Second World War.

The wrecks can pose a navigation hazard, especially under low water levels.