Slovenac wreck resurfaces on Serbia's Sava River amid record low water

Exceptionally low water levels on the Sava River have revealed a much larger portion of the sunken steamer Slovenac, a 1913 Budapest‑built paddle steamer that locals call the “Savski Titanik.” The vessel sank on 25 April 1945 after striking a mine near the village of Jarak, and its remains lie between Sremska Mitrovica and Jarak. This summer the drought‑driven drop exposed extensive sections of the metal hull and a sizable sandbank, turning the site into an impromptu beach that attracts swimmers, anglers, boat owners and photographers.

The phenomenon is not limited to the Sava; prolonged dry conditions and high temperatures have lowered water levels in other Serbian rivers, uncovering similar submerged objects. Experts warn visitors to exercise caution around the sharp metal structure and shifting riverbed, but the spectacle has become a popular seasonal attraction.