Rhine swimming carries grave risks for life
The Rhine River, known for its scenic beauty, has seen an unusual surge in rescue operations in Düsseldorf this year. According to local authorities, seven such incidents have occurred since the start of the summer holidays.
These operations have not been without tragedy. A tragic accident last weekend in June claimed the lives of a five-year-old boy and his 30-year-old mother in Trebur, Hesse. In a similar incident earlier this year, a mother drowned while trying to rescue her boy in the Rhine.
The joint exercise held on July 6, 2020, at the Theodor-Heuss Bridge involved the Düsseldorf fire department and the German Lifesaving Association (DLRG), aiming to raise awareness about the dangers of swimming in the Rhine.
The increase in rescue operations is primarily due to specific dangers in the river, including strong currents, fluctuating water levels, and shipping traffic risks. Swimming in the Rhine is generally prohibited or strongly discouraged in urban and shipping areas due to the hazards presented by large vessels and unpredictable water conditions.
Deceptive whirlpools and currents often form at 'kribben' - gravel banks protruding into the water. The presence of large cargo ships and other vessels that navigate the Rhine creates additional risks for swimmers near shipping lanes. Water quality and temperature variations can also pose health and safety risks to swimmers.
In Düsseldorf and similar Rhine cities, swimming is often restricted to designated safe zones or prohibited altogether to prevent accidents requiring rescue operations. Authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to posted swimming bans and warnings to reduce incidents.
The man rescued on May 12 was severely hypothermic, and the boy who suddenly disappeared underwater and could not be found remains a heartbreaking reminder of the risks associated with the Rhine. So far this year, there have been 30 rescue operations on the Rhine, with nine other people rescued needing medical treatment. Six of them were subsequently treated in a hospital.
Last year, the Düsseldorf fire department intervened a total of 60 times on the Rhine, with eight fatal drowning incidents in the Rhine reported in 2019. While the focus may be on shipping restoration and maritime transport in the Rhine region, the rising number of rescues serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing safety challenges for swimmers and recreational users near busy ports and urban riverfronts.
- Despite the scenic beauty of the Rhine River, the increase in rescue operations has highlighted the need for caution in areas of health-and-wellness, such as fitness-and-exercise and mental-health, as the dangers present in the river can lead to tragic accidents.
- Authorities in cities along the Rhine, including Düsseldorf, are stressing the importance of mental-health awareness, reminding residents to avoid risky behaviors like swimming in areas prohibited by posting or warnings, to reduce the need for health-and-wellness services related to rescue operations.
