Rescue operation at Wassermannsee: 22-year-old still missing!

Rescue operation at Wassermannsee: 22-year-old still missing!

On June 13, 2025, a search is underway in Cologne for a 22-year-old swimmer who went missing in Lake Wassermann. The search mission was continued by the Cologne police on Friday after emergency services were alerted the night before when a 24-year-old woman called for help. She was in the water and was taken to hospital with severe hypothermia. According to the woman, the missing swimmer can still be found in the water, which underlines the urgency of the search operation. Following their call for help, which came at around 3:30 a.m., the rescue workers were mobilized and immediately initiated the first measures express.de.

The operation at Wassermannsee, which is located in Vogelsang, turned out to be extremely complex. Up to 70 emergency services from professional and volunteer fire departments, rescue services as well as the DLRG and the DRK were mobilized. The search is carried out with the help of drones, helicopters and divers, which poses additional challenges given the difficult conditions due to limited visibility under water, which in some cases is no more than 50 centimeters. The depth of the Wassermannsee is around ten meters, and the underwater vegetation makes diving even more difficult t-online.de.

Investigations and calling for witnesses

On the bank, rescue workers found the missing man's clothing and personal items, including a cell phone and a wallet. These clues increase the current focus on what may have happened to the 22-year-old. The police have ruled out foul play and are instead examining evidence of the influence of alcohol and drugs, both in the rescued woman and in the context of the missing person. The police describe the striking call for witnesses who have made observations in the area of ​​Aquarius Lake as essential to solving the case. Citizens are encouraged to call 0221 229-0 if they have any information express.de.

In the community around Aquarius Lake, friends and relatives of the missing man distributed posters and used social networks to draw attention to the desperate search mission. There is great hope of finding the swimmer, even if the circumstances are extremely depressing.

Separate incident and medical intervention

While the search for the young man continues, another incident remains in the memory: the failed attempt to find a 70-year-old in the Rhine near the Hohenzollern Bridge. Unfortunately, the quick intervention of a sailor who jumped into the water with a lifebuoy did not bring the hoped-for success. Such tragic events force rescue workers to concentrate on preventive and reactive measures in order to avoid similar incidents in the future t-online.de.

The current case sheds light on the risks and challenges associated with water-related activities, particularly in relation to Lake Aquarius, where swimming is prohibited due to past dangers. The police and rescue services will continue to do everything they can to get clarity about the fate of the 22-year-old swimmer as quickly as possible express.de.