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Ten rowers capsize in the Rhine: Dramatic rescue operation in Mannheim!
On December 28, 2025, two rowing boats capsized on the Rhine near Mannheim. Ten rowers from Speyer were saved.
Ten rowers capsize in the Rhine: Dramatic rescue operation in Mannheim!
Last Sunday, December 28, 2025, two rowing boats got into trouble on the Rhine near Mannheim when they capsized. Ten members of a rowing club from Speyer fell into the cold water but were quickly rescued. It is important to mention that all affected rowers were wearing life jackets, which made their survival much easier. The emergency services, including the fire department and the water police, quickly took care of the situation and took the rescued athletes to the nearby Neckarau lido.
The 20 participants, aged 55 to 65, were on a trip from Speyer to Worms and had a total of four boats with them. Unfortunately, the accident occurred on Reissinsel, a nature reserve that cannot be accessed. According to tagesschau.de, eight rowers had to be taken to hospital as a precaution due to hypothermia, while a rescue helicopter monitored the scene from the air.
Safety in rowing is the be-all and end-all
It has been shown again and again that safety must have the highest priority in rowing. The recommendations for safe boat material are clear: every boat should have a rubber ball on the bow, functional stretchers and heel straps. The lighting must also comply with the regulations at dusk and darkness, as rudern.de makes clear. It is essential that all rowers adhere to local rowing regulations and safety measures to prevent accidents like the one in Mannheim.
Although accidents in rowing are rare, the dangers lurking on shipping lanes - such as collisions with ships, undertow and waves - should not be underestimated. In an article in the magazine “Rowing Sport”, Peter Roller describes that the issue of safety requires urgent action, especially in view of the often changing conditions on water. The protection of rowers should be a top priority and participation in lifesaving and resuscitation courses is strongly recommended.
A call for awareness
In summary, the Mannheim incident should serve as a wake-up call. It is essential to always keep your own safety and that of the entire team in mind. Every rowing club is called upon to check the safety precautions and improve them if necessary. So let's stay vigilant so that such accidents can be avoided in the future.