Tragic swimming accidents: Rhine again claims lives in Düsseldorf!

Tragic swimming accidents: Rhine again claims lives in Düsseldorf!

The temperatures are rising and people are flocking to the water - but the Rhine harbors hidden dangers. An incident in Düsseldorf shows how tragic the situation can develop, in which a 32-year-old man was pulled under the water on Paradise Beach and died in hospital shortly after he was found. This isn't the only tragic swimming accident recently. During the same period, the death of a 22-year-old man from Remscheid and another person who disappeared in the Rhine were reported. rp-online.de reports a worrying increase in these incidents.

The accident last Sunday occurred at 3:47 p.m. when bathers pulled the lifeless man from the water. The paramedics who were immediately alerted tried to resuscitate him, but he could not be saved and died shortly after arriving at the hospital. At the same time there was another current accident in which passers-by observed a man sinking in the Rhine. Despite extensive searches by the fire department and DLRG, no one could be found - concern for the safety of the swimmers is growing.

Rhine – a dangerous body of water

The fire department and the DLRG warn urgently about the risks of swimming in the Rhine, especially in relation to the strong currents and whirlpools. The dangers are diverse: large ships in particular can create a dangerous suction effect. In order to raise awareness among the population, 50 new warning signs were put up on the banks of the Rhine that point out the risks and provide emergency and location numbers. Fire department spokesman Vieten emphasizes how important such educational campaigns are in order to raise awareness of the dangers of swimming in the Rhine. The correct behavior in the event of a swimming accident should also be known: Instead of jumping yourself, you should maintain eye contact with the person affected and call for help immediately.

Last year, the DLRG recorded more than 20 cases of drowning in rivers in North Rhine-Westphalia, with the Rhine being particularly affected. A shocking statistic that also shows a frightening increase in fatal accidents: In 2023, a total of 411 people drowned in German waters, which means an increase of 31 deaths compared to the previous year. This worrying development is commented on by DLRG President Ute Vogt, who hopes that people will be made aware of the dangers of the warm season. Parents of small children in particular should be made aware of the risks in order to avoid accidents.

Precautionary measures are required

In the spirit of education, the Düsseldorf fire department organizes regular exercises in which the procedure in critical situations is simulated. During these exercises, rescue workers are trained in how to deal with helpless swimmers so that they can act quickly and effectively in an emergency. Given the alarming figures, it is essential that swimmers are aware of the risks and only enter the water in suitable places, as swimming is strictly prohibited in many places in the Rhine - especially in harbor entrances and on bridges.

The sad incidents on the Rhine should serve as a wake-up call for all of us to treat nature responsibly and take safety when swimming seriously. A healthy respect for the elements is the best protection.