A Viking river cruise ship carrying more than 235 passengers and crew members ran aground on the Danube River in Bulgaria on Tuesday, forcing a full evacuation of the vessel as low water levels continue to plague European river cruising operations.
The Viking Ullur became stranded at river kilometre 817 near the city of Vidin in northwestern Bulgaria, according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). The incident marks the latest in a series of operational challenges facing river cruise operators as water levels across major European waterways drop to critically low levels, disrupting both tourism and commercial shipping throughout the region.
Local Border Police took charge of the evacuation operation after the 190-passenger vessel became stuck on the riverbed. The agency coordinated the safe removal of 185 passengers and 50 crew members from the grounded ship.
Initial plans called for Viking to transfer passengers directly to another river vessel that was dispatched to the location. The backup ship was intended to allow guests to continue their planned itinerary with minimal disruption to their holiday.
However, the relief vessel encountered its own navigation difficulties and was unable to approach close enough to the stranded Ullur to facilitate a ship-to-ship transfer. This complication forced Border Police to implement alternative evacuation procedures using their own patrol boats.
Guests Transferred by Patrol Boat from Vidin Base
After unsuccessful attempts to refloat the Viking Ullur and further assessments of the situation, authorities determined that a full evacuation was necessary. Passengers were removed from the vessel using a patrol boat operated by the Vidin Border Police Vessels Base.
The evacuation operation extended to include passenger luggage, which was also being transferred on Tuesday, according to BTA. The news agency reported that it remained unclear whether crew members would stay aboard the grounded vessel or be evacuated as well.
The decision regarding crew retention likely depends on safety considerations, the potential for refloating operations, and the need to maintain the vessel’s systems whilst it remains stuck. River cruise ships typically require skeleton crews to manage basic operations even when passengers have disembarked.
Extended Grounding Expected Due to Navigation Conditions
Border Police officials indicated that the Viking Ullur could remain stranded for an extended period. The duration of the grounding will depend on evolving navigation conditions on the Danube and the available options for refloating the vessel.
Water levels would need to rise sufficiently to either allow the ship to float free or to permit specialised salvage equipment to reach the location. Alternatively, if levels drop further, it may be possible to physically move or lighten the vessel enough to free it from the riverbed.
The incident highlights the precarious situation facing river cruise o
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