Severe weather on Lake Staffelsee: Rescue workers fetch boaters from the lake during storms and hail

It could hardly be more unreasonable: Despite the severe weather warnings, there were still many people with boats at Seehausen on the Staffelsee on Saturday afternoon. A missing person report finally initiated a large-scale rescue operation.

Seehausen - During storms, heavy rain and hail on the lake - a scenario that often ends badly, not only in feature films. On Saturday afternoon, the rescue workers had to deploy in droves to get water sports enthusiasts from Lake Staffelsee in need. In addition, a search for two stand-up paddlers employed the fire departments from Murnau and Seehausen, the water guards from Uffing, Seehausen and even Kochel, as well as emergency services from the police and the Red Cross in adverse external conditions. The positive: After around 90 minutes, the around 60 helpers were able to finish the mission without any major damage. All people were taken from the lake and released home. The police summed up the annoying fact: “There has been a storm warning on the Staffelsee and Riegsee since 1:50 pm! Despite this warning, there were a lot of unreasonable water sports enthusiasts on both lakes. ”

The mission began around 3:30 p.m. with a woman crying for help at the Uffing Water Rescue Service: she reported her 54-year-old husband and son as missing. The two people from Ohlstadt had made their way to the island of Wörth with their paddle board from Seehausen. When the thunderstorm broke out over the lake, they weren't back yet. So the woman informed the water rescuers. This case cleared up pretty quickly: Around 3:55 p.m., a police patrol met the two Ohlstadt residents on the banks of Seehausen.

But that's not all: Another five boats, including rowing boats, were still on the lake this afternoon. The inmates were sometimes slightly hypothermic, definitely soaking wet, but after an examination by the emergency services, they were all able to go home. The Murnau fire department did not ignore an important point in this matter: “Warning signs, whether on water or on land, should be taken into account. They may not only protect their own lives, but also the health of the emergency services. ”