False report on Lake Constance: Police search in vain for missing person!

False report on Lake Constance: Police search in vain for missing person!

On Friday afternoon, September 19th, there was a significant police operation in Konstanz when a woman reported her husband missing after he went swimming in Lake Constance. The emergency call resulted in a large contingent of emergency services on Seestrasse, directly at the Hotel Riva. The woman's concern led to a search operation being quickly initiated, during which numerous helpers, including the DLRG, the water police and the fire department, were alerted.

A total of 46 emergency services were mobilized, including six police officers, 19 firefighters and 21 DLRG emergency services who took care of the search. Even eight divers and a water search dog were involved in the search. The emergency services were busy for a while before it became clear that the man who had been reported missing had been found safe and sound. The previously initiated search measures then had to be stopped, and it quickly became clear that it was a deliberate hoax, as Südkurier reports.

Misuse of emergency calls

The police started an investigation into the background of the false report. It was determined that the message appeared to be based on unlawful intentions, which could have serious consequences for the caller. According to Section 145 of the Criminal Code (StGB), such false reports can be punished as misuse of emergency calls, which can be punished with up to one year in prison or a fine. Around 11,000 cases of misuse of emergency calls were registered in Germany in 2016, although only some were actually charged, as Fachanwalt notes.

The incident in Konstanz is not an isolated case. Experts warn of the increasing number of false reports, which not only steal valuable time from emergency responders, but can also block real emergencies. Abusive emergency calls, for example for directions or even for food orders, are not a trivial offense. Malicious intent is required for such abuse to be punishable.

Public awareness and responsibility

The police ask citizens to keep their distance during such operations in order not to unnecessarily disturb the emergency services and to respect the personal rights of everyone involved. If a large number of rescue workers are already on duty, it is even more important to raise public awareness and educate the public about the circumstances surrounding the misuse of emergency calls. These not only help to detect abuse, but should also ensure that such incidents occur less frequently in the future, as News.de reports.

Finally, it should be said that the investigation into the hoax is in full swing. The incident continues to be a topic of conversation in the region and sheds light on the need to use emergency calls proactively and take responsibility seriously.