On July 28, 2026, the Viking cruise ship Viking Ullur ran aground on the Danube River near Vidin, Bulgaria. The vessel, carrying 186 guests and 52 crew members, contacted a sandbank during a period of historically low water levels.
Evacuation and Safety Measures
Bulgaria’s Border Police assisted in safely evacuating all passengers and crew from the ship. Both guests and crew were brought to shore without injuries reported. Efforts to refloat the Viking Ullur have so far been unsuccessful, with a second vessel required to reach the grounded ship after the first vessel could not approach closely.
Passenger Impact and Communications
Following their evacuation, passengers continued their day
trip in Bucharest, Romania. Viking Cruise Line stated that the safety and wellbeing of guests and crew is their highest priority. The company confirmed no injuries occurred and indicated ongoing communication with impacted guests and their Travel Advisors regarding updates on the situation.
Background: Low Water Levels Affecting River Cruises
The grounding of Viking Ullur is attributed to the Danube River’s water levels reaching their lowest point in 30 years. Reduced rainfall and prolonged summer heatwaves in the region have contributed to drought-like conditions. Other river cruise operators, including Avalon Waterways, have canceled sailings on the Danube and Rhine rivers due to these extremely low water levels.
Context on Danube River Geography and Navigation Challenges
The Danube River, Europe’s second-longest, flows from Germany’s Black Forest through several countries including Bulgaria and Romania before reaching the Black Sea. The river’s reduced flow and low water levels have increasingly impacted navigation for cruise vessels in 2026, causing groundings and schedule disruptions.
