A historic boat emerges in Serbia as Europe’s rivers run dry from drought and heat

In Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, the wreck of an old steam tugboat known as the Slovenian has emerged from the shrinking waters of the Sava River, highlighting Europe's ongoing drought and heat crisis. The rusting hull, which dates back to the early 1900s, surfaced earlier this month and has never been as exposed as it is now, according to locals. The historic boat, dubbed "Sava's Titanic" by Serbian media, has been seen before but is now more visible than ever, drawing significant attention.

Historian Andrija Popovic, who heads the town museum, noted that the exposure of the wreck is quite unusual, as it hasn't been seen in several years. The Slovenian, which surfaced near Sremska Mitrovica, located 70 kilometers northwest of Belgrade, has drawn much interest from locals and historians alike. The boat's appearance has been attributed to the severe drought and heat that has affected Europe, causing rivers to run dry and disrupting various aspects of life.

The low water levels on the Danube River have had a particularly significant impact, affecting nuclear power plants in Hungary and Romania and halting traffic along Europe's second-largest waterway. A monthslong drought has not only ravaged crops from the Netherlands to Bosnia but has also caused water shortages that extend as high as the Alps.

The Slovenian was constructed in 1913 in a shipyard in Budapest, Hungary, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Initially named Vag, meaning Slovakia's longest river, Vah, the steam-powered vessel was used to transport heavy cargo between Budapest and other towns along the Danube. However, during World War I, its routes were largely suspended.

Following the war and the dismantling of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the boat's ownership changed to the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenians, which would later become Yugoslavia. It was during this period, according to Popovic, that the boat was renamed the Slovenian. The reason behind choosing this specific name remains a mystery.