June drownings in Germany highest in 23 years

Germany experienced more deaths by drowning in June, when the country experienced a heatwave, than in any other June since 2003, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) said on Sunday. 

At least 99 people drowned this June, the DLRG said. The last time June saw more bathing deaths was during the heatwave in the summer of 2003, when 107 people died.

"The tragic start to the swimming season gives cause for concern that further heatwaves in high summer could again claim many lives in the water," DLRG President Ute Vogt said.

The DLRG says it is the world's largest water rescue organization with nearly 630,000 members. At the start of the summer holidays in several German states,  lifeguards urged people not to underestimate dangers in the water.

Men most likely to drown

"More than 90% of the victims in June were male; among young people, all of them were," Vogt said. "We therefore appeal in particular to boys and men to assess their abilities realistically and refrain from risky actions."

She added: "There is no prize to win at a swimming lake but you can lose your life, Ishe said. In 2025, four out of five drowning victims were male, according to the DLRG.

Many victims are young

Most victims in June were young, with 40 of them aged no more than 30. As many as 35 victims whose ages were known were over 50.

Most fatal accidents in June occurred in lakes and rivers. Fewer people died in swimming pools, canals and at sea.

The analysis for June showed familiar patterns, the DLRG rescuers said. Many people underestimated dangers, especially currents and the temperature difference when jumping into the water.

In addition, many people are poor swimmers. Overconfidence, jumping into water that is too shallow and murky and medical emergencies also posed risks.

Call for caution

To reduce the risk, the DLRG urged caution and attentiveness in the coming weeks. People seeking to cool down should only swim at supervised bathing areas and never jump into the water when overheated, but cool down beforehand.

They should avoid currents and unfamiliar waters and never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs. People should also always supervise children, look out for others, wear a life jacket when paddling or surfing, drink enough and not expose themselves to the sun for too long.

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populated state, recorded the highest number of drowning deaths in June with 22. In the same month a year earlier, there were 12. Second was Bavaria with 21 victims, down from 22 a year earlier, followed by Baden-Württemberg with 13 (drowning deaths compared to seven in 2025.