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Tragic drowning in Boppard: Police investigate death
Drowning accident in Boppard, Rhein-Hunsrück district. Investigations after a confirmed death and a short rescue operation on August 13, 2025.
Tragic drowning in Boppard: Police investigate death
In a tragic episode on the Rhine, a drowning accident occurred in Boppard, in the Rhein-Hunsrück district, on August 13, 2025. One person could only be rescued dead, which the emergency services News.de confirm. At 1:08 p.m. the DLRG local group Bad Salzig e.V. was alerted because an operation was required in the middle of the popular bathing area of Bacharach. However, the rescue workers had to stop their mission on the way because only the body of the missing person could be recovered.
The police have started investigating the exact cause of the accident. The operation only lasted around 10 minutes and ended at 1:20 p.m. This is another tragic event in the current swimming season, which already poses many dangers for swimmers.
Increasing drowning cases in Germany
In 2024, drowning cases in Germany have increased dramatically. At least 253 people have drowned so far, representing an increase of 35 deaths compared to last year, as reported ZDF reported. The trend is particularly alarming in rivers: 92 people lost their lives, while the number in lakes fell slightly. Ute Vogt, President of the DLRG, warns against swimming in unguarded waters, as hidden dangers such as strong currents and cold water are often not recognized.
The DLRG strongly recommends only swimming in guarded waters to minimize the risk. This recommendation could be particularly important for older people with previous illnesses, as almost one in three drowning victims was over 71 years old. The forecasts also suggest an ominous link between climate change and rising drowning rates.
Statistical developments
The DLRG has already recorded 411 fatal accidents in waterways in 2023, an increase of 31 deaths compared to the previous year. This is the third year in a row that the number of drownings has increased. Ute Vogt expresses the hope that these worrying numbers will make people more aware of the dangers of the warm season.
The high proportion of men among those who drowned is also interesting: 76 percent are male. Children are also at risk, as around 20 percent of primary school children are non-swimmers and almost 60 percent feel unsafe in the water.
The current situation on the Rhine and the sad reports from all over Germany remind us how important it is to think about safety and caution when swimming. The DLRG therefore appeals to all swimmers to be aware of the potential dangers and to make conscious decisions.