Germany experienced its deadliest weekend of drownings this year, with at least 15 people losing their lives, according to the German Life Saving Association (DLRG).
The incidents, which occurred over the recent weekend, mark one of the worst drowning tolls in the past decade.
Martin Holzhause, a spokesperson for the DLRG, told the German Press Agency (dpa) that the final number could rise as authorities continue to assess all reported cases. He described the tragedy as a grim milestone in what has already become a worrying trend for water safety in Germany.
According to the DLRG—one of the world’s largest volunteer water rescue organizations—Germany has seen a steady rise in drowning deaths for the third consecutive year. In 2024 alone, the country has recorded 411 drownings, an increase of 31 fatalities compared to 2023.
Holzhause attributed the growing risk to climate change, explaining that longer and hotter summers are pushing more people toward unsupervised water bodies, increasing the likelihood of accidents. He added that while it is normal for the number of incidents to spike during warm weekends, the scale of last weekend’s fatalities was alarming and unprecedented.
To reduce the rising death toll, Holzhause urged local authorities to expand supervised swimming areas and public pools across the country.
He emphasized the need for preventive safety measures, including increased lifeguard presence and better public awareness of the risks associated with open-water swimming, especially during extreme heat.
The DLRG’s call to action highlights the urgent need for enhanced water safety infrastructure as Germany continues to face the dual challenges of climate change and public health.
Follow the latest news on Google News
