Rhine underwater ban: 1,000 euro fine for swimmers in Krefeld!

Rhine underwater ban: 1,000 euro fine for swimmers in Krefeld!

The Rhine, known for its picturesque banks and lively hustle and bustle, is now becoming a danger zone. In a short message, the city of Düsseldorf has discussed a nationwide issue Bathing ban in the Rhine, which will apply to the entire urban area from August 14, 2025. This is a reaction to the increasing number of swimming accidents, which recently alarmed the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) and the authorities. Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller highlights the dangers posed by the Rhine and underlines the necessity of this ban.

The announced ones are a particularly hot topicFines of up to 1,000 eurosfor swimming in the Rhine, i.e. for spending time in water that is deeper than your ankle. This regulation should apply not only in Düsseldorf, but also in the Rhine district of Neuss, where swimming is already prohibited in the entire section of the Rhine, with the exception of Dormagen. However, the ban in Dormagen is currently being put to the test, as a draft for a corresponding regulation has yet to be passed by council politicians - so it is likely to come into force in September.

Background and dangers

The Rhine's bathing water has its pitfalls: high currents and the impact of waves make it life-threatening for swimmers. According to the DLRG, there had already been ten fatal swimming accidents in the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia by the end of July 2023. In all of 2022 there were 14 deaths, the highest number in years. DLRG spokesman Christopher Dolz says that the Rhine is “one of the busiest shipping routes in Europe”, a comparison to the motorway is obvious. The secret recipe to stay safe? Change sides to other bodies of water where possible. But swimming in the Rhine is no longer officially permitted in many areas anyway - the cities want to set an example with the new regulation.

The Düsseldorf ordinance, which is provisionally valid until December 31, 2026, is not only seen as a preventive measure, but also as a legal basis for the intervention of the law enforcement officers. It is pointed out that groups such as water rescue services and fire departments are an exception. These may continue to operate under certain conditions, which is understood as necessary consideration for acute operations.

Public reactions and outlook

The public response to this measure has been mixed. Critics fear that a general ban could only lead to swimmers moving to other areas. Dolz adds that without widespread education about the dangers on rivers like the Rhine, relocation simply does not solve the problem. To this end, intensive educational campaigns are already being carried out in Cologne and the surrounding area via social media and warning signs.

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether cities will actually be able to record the hoped-for reduction in swimming accidents. One thing is clear, however: the summer of 2025 on the Rhine will no longer be the one that the people of Cologne knew.

Links to the information sources: News894, Dusseldorf, WDR.