At least 99 people drowned in Germany in June, the highest number since the heatwave summer of 2003. More than 90 percent of them were male, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) announced on Sunday in Bad Nenndorf. Most of the victims were also young, only 35 of them were older than 50. "It is mainly men who take too many risks and underestimate dangers," explained DLRG President Ute Vogt. She noted that they also more frequently entered the water while intoxicated by alcohol or other drugs.
Most fatal swimming accidents occurred in lakes and rivers. According to the DLRG, 55 people drowned in lakes and 21 in rivers. Six deaths each were recorded in swimming pools, the sea, and canals.
Many people underestimate dangers such as currents and the temperature difference when quickly entering or jumping into the water, the DLRG explained. Accidents were also caused by a lack of swimming skills, overestimating one's own abilities, jumping into water that was too shallow or murky, and medical emergencies.
The Greens, SPD, and the Left Party put forward proposals to prevent future swimming accidents. Green health policy spokesman Janosch Dahmen demanded in the "Rheinische Post" (Monday edition): "We need drowning prevention to become a fixed part of municipal heat action plans." He said this should include better warning signs at lakes and rivers, more qualified water supervision at heavily used bathing spots, strengthening children's and teenagers' swimming abilities, and targeted education specifically aimed at young men.
Left Party leader Luigi Pantisano called on the federal government to better support municipalities. The government must "finally ensure that our towns and municipalities are prepared for increasingly hot summers," he told the newspaper, "with reliable funding for municipalities, more swimming pools, safe bathing spots, shade and drinking water facilities, and free swimming lessons for every child."
The high death toll shows "once again how urgent it is to be able to swim safely, it takes practice and experience, and enough swimming courses led by trained professionals," said Bettina Lugk, sports policy spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group, to the "Rheinische Post."
Alexander Throm (CDU), the interior policy spokesman for the Union parliamentary group, hopes the DLRG's findings will raise awareness. "Many of the accidents could have been avoided," he told the newspaper.
The DLRG called on people to only enter the water at supervised bathing areas and to cool down beforehand. No one should ever swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Currents and unfamiliar bodies of water should be avoided. The DLRG also appealed to everyone to realistically assess their own physical limits. A life jacket should be worn when paddling, surfing, or boating. Children should always be supervised.
Just on Sunday, another swimming accident became known. A 37-year-old man got into difficulty in the Binsfeldsee lake in Speyer on Saturday afternoon for reasons that remain unclear, police in the Rhineland-Palatinate city reported. Rescue workers searched for him for hours but were unable to find him. The search continued.
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