River Cruise Ship Refloated After Running Aground on the Danube – October 30–31, 2025

Introduction
A river cruise vessel carrying over 230 people temporarily ran aground on the Danube River near Garla Mare in Mehedinti County, Romania, close to the tri-border region of Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia. The grounding occurred amid unusually low river levels but was resolved without injury or damage after the vessel refloated the following morning.

Details of the Incident

Grounding Location and Conditions:

• The incident took place near Garla Mare, a section of the lower Danube known for shifting sandbanks and reduced navigation depth during drought conditions.
• The river’s flow in the region had dropped to around 2,600 m³ per second, well below the seasonal average of 3,800 m³ per second, exposing shallow areas and sandbars along the main channel.
• Based on AIS tracking data, the grounded vessel is believed to have been Viking Lif, a longship operated by Viking River Cruises.

Passengers and Crew:

• The ship was sailing from Turnu Magurele toward Vienna with 180 passengers and 53 crew members aboard.
• No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, and all were provided with sufficient food and water during the incident.

Rescue and Refloating Operations:

• Local Romanian authorities established communication with the ship’s bridge team, coordinating safety and logistics support.
• Emergency provisions were delivered as a precaution in case the grounding persisted for several days.
• By the morning of October 31, a modest rise in water levels allowed the vessel to refloat naturally and resume its upstream journey toward Austria.
• No significant hull or mechanical damage was recorded, and no environmental pollution occurred.

Weather and Navigational Context:

• The Danube has experienced fluctuating water levels in recent months, impacting navigation for commercial and passenger vessels across the lower basin.
• Hydrological data indicate that sustained dry conditions upstream have reduced flow, leaving certain stretches temporarily unnavigable for deeper-draft vessels.

Aftermath:

• The ship resumed normal operations once refloated and continued its scheduled itinerary toward Vienna.
• Romanian river traffic authorities have since advised heightened caution for vessels transiting low-water sectors of the Danube.
• Navigation in the affected area has returned to normal, with no further reports of obstruction or distress.