Cold Wave Freezes Bulgarian Danube, Grounds Ships

A Romanian is accompanied by his dog, as he fishes on the ice of Pantelimon frozen lake, near Bucharest, Romania, 01 February 2012. EPA/BGNES

A cold snap, combined with an exceptionally dry summer and fall, has led the Bulgarian section of the great Danube river to start freezing over, obstructing traffic.

Around 10% of the river's surface at Bulgarian Danube cities of Ruse and Silistra is reported covered with floating ice Wednesday.

The banks and port facilities in both cities are also reported to be sheathed with ice. Vessels and pontoons are starting to be hauled aground due to the ice.

Wednesday morning, -19.8 degrees C were measured at Ruse, a record low for the date.

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