Body found in the Rhine: Tragic bathing ban imposed in Düsseldorf!

Body found in the Rhine: Tragic bathing ban imposed in Düsseldorf!

On Wednesday afternoon there was a tragic incident in the Rhine near Voerde when a lifeless man was rescued from the water. A pleasure boat had previously reported a person adrift near Dinslaken, whereupon the fire brigade, police and rescue services immediately rushed to the scene. A police helicopter also searched the neighboring region, while the Voerder fire brigade's multi-purpose boat went in search of the man. The body was finally found around two kilometers downstream. Unfortunately, any help came too late and the police launched an investigation into the identity and circumstances of the death.

The situation is made even more complicated by the fact that it remains unclear whether the dead man was the missing man who had been sought since Monday after a swimming accident in Cologne-Rodenkirchen. Another frightening point is the recent swimming accidents in the Rhine, which prompted the water police to issue an urgent warning. She emphasizes the dangers posed by the strong currents, which can put even experienced swimmers' lives in danger. For this reason, the fire department urges you not to use the Rhine for swimming.

More tragic incidents

The tragedies in the Rhine do not stop. According to current reports, 42 people had already drowned in North Rhine-Westphalia by the end of July 2023 - five more swimming deaths than in the same period last year. In the entire year of 2022, the number of swimming deaths totaled 47. These worrying numbers were addressed by Ute Vogt, President of the German Life Saving Society (DLRG), in Düsseldorf. The DLRG has also warned that at least 253 people across Germany will have died in water in 2023 - an increase compared to the previous year.

In this context, it is particularly tragic that the two most recent fatal incidents in the Rhine are related to swimming accidents. A 22-year-old Ukrainian, who most recently lived in Remscheid, was found near Düsseldorf on Monday after his disappearance on Saturday. A 26-year-old Romanian man who disappeared in the water on Sunday was discovered near Voerde on Tuesday. Both men had bathed in the Rhine independently of each other and were already dead when their bodies were recovered.

The bathing ban in Düsseldorf

In order to prevent further accidents, the city of Düsseldorf has issued an official bathing ban, which has been in force since today. Violating the ban could result in a fine of up to 1,000 euros. The city and the emergency services appeal to everyone to adhere to this regulation in order to avoid snack and leisure stress and the associated dangers.

The sad events around the Rhine should wake us all up. Take the authorities' warnings seriously and do not venture into the water, where the current can pose a risk to life and limb. It's better to be safe than sorry!