EU Support for Removing Sunken WWII German Fleet in the Danube River near Negotin, Serbia

The EU is backing efforts to remove approximately 200 sunken WWII German ships that have remained abandoned on the riverbed of the Danube in Serbia for nearly 80 years. These ships, many still laden with explosives, have posed a lingering threat and obstacle to navigation.

Извучен први од 200 немачких ратних бродова плански потопљених на крају Другог Светског рата код Прахова у операцији "Дунасвки вилењак".Фото Министарство грађевинарства Србије.

Нико не зна у каквом су стању мине и муниција после 80 година проведених у води.".Фото Министарство грађевинарства Србије.

In a recent milestone, the first of these ships was successfully recovered, marking a significant step in this monumental task. The sunken fleet is a remnant of the mysterious operation "Danube Elf," during which around 200 ships were deliberately scuttled in 1944 on the orders of Rear Admiral Paul-Willy Zieb. At the time, the Red Army had reached the Iron Gates, cutting off the Germans’ planned retreat towards the Reich.