Drought on Serbia's Sava River reveals long-lost WWII shipwreck

A severe drought gripping central Europe has brought the Sava River in Serbia to its lowest levels in decades, revealing the wreck of a 112-year-old steam tug that had lain undisturbed beneath the water for nearly eight decades. The vessel, known today as the Slovenac, emerged fully into view near the town of Kovačica, approximately 60 miles north of Belgrade, as water levels dropped due to prolonged heat and dry conditions. What was once barely visible beneath the surface is now partially exposed, with sections of its hull and interior clearly discernible above the river. The Slovenac was constructed in 1913 in Budapest, which at the time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Originally named Vag after the Váh River in present-day Slovakia, the 54-meter steam-powered tug served as a vital transport vessel, ferrying heavy cargo between Budapest and other towns along the Danube. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy following the First World War, the ship came under the jurisdiction of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. It was then renamed Slovenac, reflecting the country’s new political identity. During the Second World War, the Slovenac played a crucial role in transporting supplies and evacuating wounded soldiers after Yugoslav anti-fascist forces reclaimed Belgrade in 1944. On April 7, 1945, the vessel struck a German mine while carrying injured fighters and sank in the Sava River. Its wreckage has rested undisturbed in the riverbed ever since, until this year’s extreme weather conditions brought it back into public view. Local residents described the sight of the shipwreck as both startling and poignant. “We’ve never seen such a large portion of the vessel exposed,” one resident told Euronews. Others noted the historical significance of the find, particularly given the ongoing efforts to preserve and document wartime heritage in the Balkans. The Slovenac is believed to be one of the few remaining vessels from the period of Yugoslavia’s early 20th-century history that still lies intact in the river. This discovery is part of a broader trend across Europe, where declining river levels due to climate change and prolonged droughts have uncovered previously submerged artifacts. From the Rhine to the Danube, historians and archaeologists have been documenting the emergence of old ships, military hardware, and even entire settlements that were once lost beneath the water. As temperatures continue to rise and precipitation patterns shift, experts warn that more such discoveries may come to light in the coming years. Authorities in Serbia have expressed interest in preserving the site and studying the wreck further. While there are currently no plans for immediate salvage operations, officials have acknowledged the need for careful management of the area to prevent damage to the fragile structure. The Slovenac stands as a silent witness to a tumultuous chapter of European history, now resurfacing in an era defined by environmental uncertainty.