Cruise Passengers Stuck on Vessel Due to Flooding in Danube River

Photo byProfimedia

Heavy rains and flooding across Central Europe have impacted river cruises, with a Swiss passenger ship currently stranded near Vienna, Austria.

According to news reports, passengers cannot leave the ship as the dock is underwater and unavailable.

And with more rain on the way, the ordeal could last for another few days.

The 110-meter vessel, carrying a capacity of 140 passengers and traveling with a primarily Swiss contingent, was forced to halt its journey to Budapest due to the rising water levels on the Danube River.

While the ship departed last Friday, forecasts already predicted heavy rainfall.

"At the time, even the experts couldn't foresee the Danube becoming unnavigable in this area," said Daniel Pauli-Kaufmann, managing director of Thurgau Travel, the ship's operator.

"The intended destination is Budapest, and right now, it seems quite far away."

Photo bySRF News

Vienna, along with other parts of Austria, is experiencing its worst flooding in over 150 years.

Images on social media show the Danube's rising waters putting stress on bridge infrastructure, highlighting the severity of the situation.

As per passenger reports, disembarkation might only be possible by Tuesday. However, further heavy rain is anticipated today, potentially causing additional delays. Local authorities are responsible for making the final decision on when passengers can safely disembark.

This incident underscores the challenges faced by the European river cruise industry due to the ongoing flooding crisis.

The rising water levels have disrupted planned itineraries and caused inconvenience for passengers. It remains to be seen how long the situation will last and how significantly it will impact river cruises in the region.