Rescue operation in Duisburg: Man rescued from Rhine - swimming ban ignored!

Rescue operation in Duisburg: Man rescued from Rhine - swimming ban ignored!

Late on Tuesday afternoon, a dramatic rescue operation in Duisburg caused a stir. A 38-year-old man from Hürth got into the water of the Rhine and had to be rescued from acute danger. The incident occurred in the Friemersheim district, near the railway bridge. The stranger, equipped with a swimming collar, had unfortunately wandered into a field of cribbing, which was dangerous for him.

The accident began when a passing ship pulled the man deeper into the river. Passers-by became aware of the person in distress and quickly informed the emergency services. At around 5 p.m., the Duisburg control center received several emergency calls reporting a man floating in the water. The Christoph 9 rescue helicopter was requested to provide support in order to locate the man in the Rhine and coordinate the emergency services.

Rescue workers on duty

The police arrived at the scene shortly after the report was received at around 5:19 p.m. However, by this time the man had already been rescued from the water and was taken to a hospital for a medical examination. Good thing he was rescued from the predicament in time! However, the man may face misdemeanor proceedings from the water police because of his rash dive. Because swimming in the Rhine is actually strictly forbidden in Duisburg and large parts of the Rhine.

The swimming ban, which was imposed by the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration in coordination with the city of Duisburg, has been in effect since 1972 in the areas from Rhine kilometers 769.3 to 794.6 on the right side and from kilometers 763 to 766.5 and again from 769.3 to 794.6 on the left side. The city has clearly stated this in several languages ​​both on signs and online and appeals to citizens to only swim in designated bathing waters such as Großenbaumer See or in outdoor pools on hot days.

Dangers in the Rhine

This incident is not the first of its kind. On July 17th, a 27-year-old man in Duisburg was in danger of losing his life when he was swimming in the Rhine and was swept away by the strong current. Luckily, a 73-year-old boat driver heard his cries for help and was able to quickly rescue him. Here too, the current was the main danger, alongside unpredictable whirlpools and eddies that can be caused by passing ships. The police warn urgently about the risks associated with swimming in the Rhine.

In summary, it is clear that the Rhine is not only a picturesque sight, but also poses serious dangers. The city of Duisburg and the water police would do well to continue to warn about the dangers in the river. Passers-by who discover a person in distress in the Rhine should definitely call the emergency number and not get into the water themselves to avoid ending up in the same predicament.