DLRG: The number of bathing deaths rose slightly in the summer

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A DLRG member monitors the Wannsee (archive picture)

Photo: Paul Zinken / picture alliance / dpa

In view of the weather conditions, there are currently no summer feelings in Germany.

Unlike in June, when coasts, lakes and rivers promised to cool down at high temperatures, the beaches on the Baltic Sea, for example, are currently only moderately visited.

However, the number of fatal swimming accidents this summer has increased slightly compared to the previous year.

At least 116 people had an accident while bathing in June and July.

This emerges from a preliminary balance sheet by the German Life-Saving Society (DLRG).

Last year, 95 people drowned in the same period up to the reporting date on July 21.

Overall number of deaths declining

According to the DLRG, the number of bathing deaths fell slightly in the first seven months compared to the previous year.

In total, at least 184 people drowned, eight fewer than in 2020. "The number of drowned people mostly depends on the weather," said DLRG President Achim Haag.

By region, most of the fatal swimming accidents occurred in Bavaria.

So far there have been 29 bathing deaths there in 2021, five fewer than in 2020. This was followed by Baden-Württemberg with 23 bathing deaths (one less) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 21 (twelve more).

Over 75 percent of the drowned people in Germany died according to the information in lakes and rivers.

79 percent were men.

Main reasons for drowning: unguarded bathing, carelessness, overconfidence and the influence of alcohol.

The fatalities of the devastating flood disaster in West Germany are not part of the current interim balance.

"The DLRG currently has no data on how many people drowned in the flood areas," said President Haag.

fek / dpa