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Corpse in the Rhine: Is it one of the missing swimming accident victims?
On June 23rd, a body was found in the Rhine in Wesel. Investigations into the identity and cause of death are ongoing.
Corpse in the Rhine: Is it one of the missing swimming accident victims?
On Monday, June 23rd, a lifeless person was rescued from the Rhine in Wesel. A ship's master discovered the lifeless body in the afternoon and immediately alerted the emergency services. The criminal police have started investigating the identity and cause of death. According to initial investigations, it is possible that the deceased was one of the missing swimming accident victims. An emergency doctor could only confirm death; An autopsy to clarify the identity is scheduled for June 30. The incident sheds light on the dangers of the Rhine, especially after several swimming competitions over the weekend in which several people went missing in the Rhineland. The police launched intensive search operations in Düsseldorf, Bonn, Cologne and Duisburg on Saturday and Sunday, although the all-clear was only given in Bonn. While a 37-year-old was rescued in Düsseldorf, a person spotted in Cologne-Deutz remained missing despite extensive search efforts.
Meanwhile, a body was discovered in Wesel in May, which later turned out to be a 36-year-old man from Siegburg, who was also missing after a swimming accident. These developments show that water bodies can float for several days, making identification difficult and significantly complicating searches.
Tragic incidents in the Rhine
In another worrying situation, two bodies were found at the Reckingen hydroelectric power station in the Rhine on August 7th and 8th. These were later identified as the women missing since August 4th, a 29-year-old and a 15-year-old, neither of whom could swim. Eyewitnesses reported screaming and an accident in which the women fell into the Rhine while they were with other people on the bank. The large-scale search launched by the police, which used boats, divers and drones, among other things, was initially unsuccessful. Despite bad weather and major challenges, the water police continued to carry out search operations.
These drownings also highlight the general dangers of swimming in water. According to the DLRG, there were a total of 411 swimming deaths in 2024, a worrying increase of 31 compared to the previous year. The majority of the accidents – more than 320 – occurred in inland waters, i.e. rivers, lakes and ponds. DLRG President Ute Vogt points out that unguarded waters in particular should be avoided. Statistics show that almost 80 percent of victims are male and that there were 14 fatal accidents involving children up to 10 years old.
The situation on the Rhine is alarming and requires bathers to keep a watchful eye, especially in the summer months. The currents are treacherous and many have no idea of the danger that threatens them.
It is all the more important to deal with the dangers and to be aware that even relaxing hours by the water can quickly turn into tragedy. The DLRG's improved search measures and educational work are crucial steps to prevent such incidents in the future.