Tragic swimming accident: 42-year-old drowned in Lake Thenn

Tragic swimming accident: 42-year-old drowned in Lake Thenn

A tragic swimming accident caused horror in the small community of Wartenberg in the Erding district on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. A 42-year-old man was discovered lifeless in the “Thenner See” after witnesses noticed him floating in the water around 11:45 a.m. They immediately alerted the rescue workers, who were finally able to recover the lifeless body about 20 meters from the western bank. The unfortunate man's vehicle was found near the lake and there is currently no evidence of third-party involvement, according to the Erding criminal police, who immediately took over the investigation.

This incident reminds us of the dangers associated with swimming in water bodies. The DLRG has sounded the alarm in the latest statistics: a total of 411 fatal swimming accidents were recorded in Germany in 2023, which means an increase of 31 deaths compared to the previous year. This worrying development marks the third consecutive year in which the number of drownings has increased. For the first time since 2019, the number is above the 400 mark again - a clear warning shot for the public.

Call for caution

DLRG President Ute Vogt appeals to everyone, especially parents of small children, to become aware of the dangers in water. The warm months bring not only the joy of being on the water, but also the responsibility to be vigilant and ensure safety. In this context, the DLRG plans to carry out targeted educational campaigns to point out the specific risks and thus avoid accidents.

In view of the tragic swimming accident in Wartenberg, it becomes clear again and again how important safety is on the water. The world of bathing and swimming can quickly become dangerous, especially if you are careless or don't know the waters well. The **swimming accidents** are not just numbers in statistics, they represent lives lost and leave relatives and friends sad.

The incident shook the community in Wartenberg. Raising public awareness of the risks of swimming is therefore more relevant than ever. We must not close our eyes to the dangers that lurk in our beautiful waters. From our own safety to educating others, it is up to all of us to reduce the number of swimming accidents and take care of each other.

We wish the relatives of the deceased a lot of strength during this difficult time and hope that awareness will soon be raised among the population in order to prevent such tragedies in the future.

For further details on the background and statistics on swimming accidents in Germany, read the reports on pfaffenhofen-today.de and new-facts.eu. There is also valuable information on the [DLRG] website (https://www.dlrg.de/informieren/die-dlrg/presse/statistics-ertrinken/).