The wreckage of a cargo ship believed to have sunk nearly 90 years ago has reemerged in the Danube River near Opatovac, located in eastern Croatia, local officials reported on Monday. The vessel became visible as water levels in the river dropped to historic lows, drawing widespread attention from the public and local authorities.

The Lovas municipality posted photographs of the exposed shipwreck online in an effort to gather additional information from residents, historians, and others who may help identify the vessel. Mayor Lea Vidic indicated that there is historical evidence suggesting the ship sank in 1937, referencing a newspaper article from that year. Residents in the area recalled faintly viewing the outline of the wreck about 15 years ago, but noted that it has never been so prominently visible until now.

The Danube has experienced exceptionally low water levels in eastern Croatia this summer. According to the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, water height measurements at the Batina station recorded a level of minus 108 centimeters last week. This represents the lowest recorded depth since measurements began and is 24 centimeters below the previous record low, which was established in 2022.

As the water continues to recede, officials anticipate that more of the ship’s structure may become exposed, presenting an opportunity to study and document a significant piece of regional river history. The low water levels have also revealed other historical relics; authorities recently uncovered two unexploded aerial bombs dating back to World War II near Batina. These bombs were safely removed by police, underscoring the range of discoveries made possible by the current drought conditions in the region.