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Warning from the DLRG: Swimming in the Rhine can be fatal!
In the Kleve district, the DLRG warns of the danger of drowning in water bodies, while hot temperatures attract swimmers.
Warning from the DLRG: Swimming in the Rhine can be fatal!
When temperatures rise, many people are drawn to the cool water - be it in the Rhine, in lakes or other bodies of water. But this summer there is alarming news, particularly when it comes to water safety. The DLRG regularly publishes warnings, and this year too the risk of drowning is high, while the awareness of bathers often remains low. Loud RP Online DLRG spokesman Frederik Bremer addressed the public directly to draw attention to the impending risks.
Numerous accidents have already been reported this season, particularly in the Rhine between Düsseldorf and Duisburg. Fortunately, the DLRG Gleiv and Kleve has not yet recorded any drowning cases this year, but the general development in Germany shows alarming tendencies. In 2024, 411 people drowned, most of them in unguarded bathing areas in lakes and rivers, according to reports Deutschlandfunk.
Safe swimming options
Many people underestimate the dangers that can arise when swimming in unknown waters. Bathers are often not aware of the risks. “We are committed to ensuring that multilingual information about the dangers is posted in many of these places,” explains a spokesman for the DLRG. Another worrying aspect is the decline in swimming pools in Germany. This leads to the population seeking alternative places to cool off, which in turn could increase the number of accidents.
The numbers are clear: According to the DLRG, the number of deaths in water in 2023 rose by 31 cases compared to the previous year to 411. This is the third increase in a row and the first increase over the 400 mark since 2019. President Ute Vogt expresses the hope that people will be made aware of the dangers through targeted education.
Prevention is everything
Especially in the current warm season, the lifeguards expect to be called out at any time. Many of these incidents could be avoided if people would refrain from swimming in the Rhine. Bremer emphasizes the responsibility of each individual to realistically assess their own abilities and not to underestimate the dangers of water.
Given these facts and the various incidents this summer, anyone who ventures into the water should carefully consider where and how they do so. Stay informed, heed the DLRG warnings and enjoy the hot season safely and responsibly. After all, summer should bring a lot of fun, but not the risk of dangerous situations in the water.