192 people drowned in Germany in the first seven months – most in lakes and rivers. That’s fewer deaths than in the same period in 2022. Nevertheless, the lifeguards are not giving the all-clear.
Almost 200 people have died in swimming accidents in Germany since the beginning of the year. This is shown by current figures from the German Life Saving Society (DLRG). According to this, by the deadline of July 25, 192 people had died while bathing in lakes or swimming pools.
Overall, the number fell by almost ten percent compared to the same period last year: by just under the end of July 2022, the DLRG registered 213 bathing deaths. “Summer is already taking a longer break. Otherwise, the number of drowned people would certainly be close to last year’s,” said DLRG President Ute Vogt.
lake, river or canal
Most of the accidents occurred in unpatrolled waters, it said. According to the DLRG, 179 people drowned in open water such as rivers and lakes; that corresponds to 93 percent of all cases. Accordingly, 17 people died in channels, eight more than in the same period last year. In June alone, four men drowned in the Dortmund-Ems Canal. “Whether rivers or canals: the shipping lanes are particularly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs,” says Vogt. With nine dead, four more people drowned in the North and Baltic Seas than in the previous year.
Almost every second person involved in an accident (44 percent) was older than 50 years. Four out of five drowners (79 percent) are men.
DLRG: More than 1,300 people saved
According to the DLRG, most drowned people were reported in North Rhine-Westphalia, with 35 dead, followed by Bavaria (30), Baden-Württemberg (22) and Lower Saxony (18). At the bottom of the statistics is Bremen with only one bathing fatality. Across Germany, most people drowned in June and July.
“The number of drowned people would be even higher if lifeguards weren’t always on the spot,” said Frank Villmow, Head of Association Communications in the DLRG Presidium. Last year, the volunteers of the DLRG saved 1,307 lives, it said.
DLRG fears increasing numbers
However, the DLRG feared that bathing could become less safe in the future. One reason is that many children have not learned to swim as a result of the pandemic. At times, fewer lifeguards could have been trained. Climate change also plays a role, as it will bring more summer days in the future.
Last year, the total number of bathing deaths increased significantly: 355 people died in connection with bathing accidents. The year before there were 299 – fewer than in more than 20 years. According to the DLRG, the total number so far this year has been 197 – since the deadline on July 25, five more people have died while swimming in Germany.