German warships sunk off Hiiumaa island during the First World War in 1916 are deteriorating and pose a significant environmental risk. The wrecks contain thousands of liters of oil, a potential pollutant to the Baltic Sea. Experts warn that the aging vessels are essentially ticking ecological time bombs. A release of this oil could severely damage coastlines across the Baltic Sea region. Authorities are assessing the scale of the threat and considering potential mitigation strategies. The wrecks represent a hidden legacy of conflict and a present-day environmental challenge for Estonia.