According to the Bulgarian state news agency (BTA), a passenger cruise ship carrying 186 tourists was evacuated by Bulgarian police after running aground in shallow waters near the city of Vidin due to severe drought conditions affecting the Danube River. The vessel, the Viking Ullur, ran aground before reaching its scheduled port of call to restock, leaving food and clean water supplies depleted for the remaining 52 crew members aboard.
Danube Water Levels Hit Historic Lows Amid European Heatwaves
Prolonged heatwaves and persistent drought have pushed water levels on the Danube—Europe’s second-largest river—to historic lows across multiple jurisdictions. According to reports from Budapest, Hungary, water resource authorities recorded a river height of just 23 centimeters on a Wednesday, breaking the previous record low of 33 centimeters set in 2018. The shrinking waterway has exposed rocks, sandbanks, and long-sunken shipwrecks along its bed, disrupting major transport arteries.
Tourism and Cargo Operations Halted Across Multiple Nations
The plummeting water levels have heavily disrupted commercial shipping and river tourism. Cargo operators have suspended most operations because navigation lanes are no longer safe. Meanwhile, cruise ships normally docking in central Budapest now have to stop far upriver. In Serbia, hundreds of small boats and dozens of freight vessels remain stranded near Novi Sad.
Did you know? The Danube River flows across 10 different countries, stretching from Germany all the way to the Black Sea, making cross-border water management critical during extreme weather events.
Radovan Segrt, a houseboat owner operating river tours near Novi Sad, stated that the river’s water line has pulled back significantly from the shore. “Air Sungai Danube telah surut sekitar 15 hingga 20 meter dari garis pantainya,” Segrt noted, adding that summer boat tourism has effectively ended for the season. Weather forecasts indicate little relief, with the Hungarian Meteorological Service reporting that rainfall over the preceding 90 days fell 80 to 130 millimeters below average while temperatures in Central Europe threaten to exceed 38 degrees Celsius.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the cruise ship run aground?
The Viking Ullur ran aground because prolonged drought and extreme heat caused the Danube River’s water levels to drop drastically, creating unexpected shallow areas near Vidin, Bulgaria.
How low did the Danube water levels drop?
According to water resource authorities in Budapest, the Danube level dropped to 23 centimeters, breaking the previous record low of 33 centimeters set in 2018.
Are cargo ships still operating on the Danube?
Most cargo ships have suspended operations because the shrinking river makes navigation lanes unsafe, leaving numerous freight vessels stranded near locations like Novi Sad in Serbia.
Stay Updated on European Waterways
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on environmental impacts, tourism disruptions, and weather trends across Europe.
Related reading