A Viking river cruise ship, Viking Ullur, ran aground on the Danube River near Vidin, Bulgaria, on July 28, 2026. The vessel was carrying 186 passengers and 52 crew members when it came into contact with a sandbank and became stranded.
Low Danube Water Levels Cause Grounding
The grounding occurred amid extremely low water levels on the Danube River, attributed to drought-like conditions, prolonged summers, heatwaves, and reduced rainfall. By late July 2026, the Danube’s water levels reached their lowest point in three decades, affecting navigation along this major European waterway that flows from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea via Romania.
Evacuation and Continuation of Passenger Itinerary
Bulgaria’s Border Police
assisted in safely evacuating all 238 people onboard after Viking Ullur was stranded. A second vessel was dispatched for rescue after the first could not approach the ship closely enough. Passengers and crew were brought ashore, and the passengers continued their trip with a day in Bucharest, Romania, instead of remaining onboard the immobilized ship.
Official Statements and Industry Impact
Viking cruise line stated: “The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is always our highest priority,” confirming no injuries during the incident. The company pledged to provide ongoing updates to affected guests and their travel advisors. Bulgaria’s Border Police confirmed their support in
the rescue near Vidin. Meanwhile, Avalon Waterways, another river cruise operator, referenced the ongoing drought and low river depths as reasons for recent cancellations on Danube and Rhine sailings.
Attempts to refloat Viking Ullur have so far failed, with no reported timeline or methods disclosed.
