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Cruise ship passengers rescued after vessel runs aground
Fox Business • • world
Key Points:
- Nearly 200 passengers were evacuated from the Viking Ullur cruise ship after it ran aground on the Danube River near Vidin, Bulgaria, due to exceptionally low water levels caused by a prolonged drought.
- The ship became stranded after hitting a sandbank early on July 28, 2026, prompting Bulgarian border police to rescue 186 passengers when a rescue vessel could not approach closely enough.
- Viking confirmed no injuries occurred, and the ship remained safe and well-stocked with supplies; all guests were safely transferred ashore and continued their itinerary, including a planned stop in Bucharest.
- Attempts to refloat the 443-foot vessel were unsuccessful as of Tuesday morning, and the current status of the crew and ship location has not been disclosed.
- The incident highlights ongoing challenges posed by record low water levels on the Danube River due to regional drought conditions.
