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Extraordinary analyses confirm that quality of water in Danube is within prescribed limits

Belgrade, 10 January 2024

The Ministry of Environmental Protection stated that an extraordinary sampling and testing of the water quality of the Danube River was carried out yesterday, after the sinking of the "Lola 5" barge near Backa Palanka, and that it confirmed the previously obtained results - that the analysed parameters are within the prescribed limits.

According to the statement, no change in the organoleptic properties of the water of the Danube River (colour, smell of water and visible waste matter) was observed even after the extraordinary analysis.

Physical and chemical analysis of water samples showed that the values of parameters, such as pH value, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, percentage of water saturation with oxygen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrates, nitrites, orthophosphates, total phosphorus and chemical oxygen consumption, ranged in prescribed limit values for I and II class of surface water quality.

The results of the analysis of the content of total organic carbon and total nitrogen show that the obtained values corresponded to the III class of surface water quality.

The accident happened when the German ship "Antonia" hit the pillar of the “25th of May” bridge at the Backa Palanka-Ilok border crossing, on the territory of the waterway of the Danube River in Croatia. The ship was towing the loaded "Lola 5" barge, which sank.