Record-low water levels in the Danube River are revealing lost historical items across Europe, including Nazi shipwrecks from World War II, and are pushing Hungary's only nuclear power plant to the brink of shutdown.
The drought has exposed an estimated 200 Nazi ships on the riverbed near Prahovo, Serbia, according to reports. The vessels, which were scuttled during the war, are now visible as water levels drop to unprecedented lows.
The low water is also severely restricting ferry, tourist boat, and commercial shipping traffic along the river, disrupting transport and trade throughout the region.
In Hungary, authorities say the Paks nuclear power plant, the country's only such facility, is at risk of shutting down because the Danube's falling level has affected its cooling water supply. The plant relies on river water for cooling, and the record drought has made it difficult to maintain safe operation.
The Danube, one of Europe's longest rivers, has been hit by extended dry weather and high temperatures, causing its water level to plummet and exposing relics and hazards that are normally underwater.