Significantly fewer people have drowned in Bavaria so far this year than in 2022. By the deadline of September 10th, the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) counted 50 deaths in the Free State, as it announced on Wednesday. That is twelve fewer than in the same period last year. Nevertheless, it is the most drowned people of all federal states – ahead of North Rhine-Westphalia with 36 and Baden-Württemberg with 30. Nationwide there were 260 people, which is also a decrease.
The DLRG counted the most drowned people in Bavaria, eleven each, in August and July. At 80 percent, the deaths over the course of the year were predominantly male. The age groups from 21 to 30 years of age and from 66 years of age upwards tended to be affected somewhat more frequently.
Accidents among young adults are “often due to careless and overconfident behavior. Alcohol and other drugs are more often involved,” said the DLRG, with a view to the trend that also exists throughout Germany. “In addition, many victims could only swim poorly or not at all.”
In older people, however, health problems were often the cause of drowning. Most cases in Bavaria were in lakes with 23, followed by 17 deaths in rivers. But people also drowned in swimming pools: two so far this year.