Canoeists persist on the Danube despite rising water levels.

Urgent responders are needed. - Canoeists persist on the Danube despite rising water levels.

Officials are cautioning against boating on the Danube River due to the high water levels. "As the water starts to recede slightly, (...) the first daredevils begin hitting the water," said Andreas Dietz from the Passau Water Guard on Thursday morning during an interview with ARD's "Morning Magazine." "We've had canoeists and stand-up paddlers taking on the Danube."

This is extremely dangerous, Dietz warned. Authorities reported a water level of 8.87 meters in Passau at 6:30 am on Thursday. According to predictions, the flood should rise even more during the morning. Regular water levels are around six meters.

When individuals choose to venture out on the Danube, that adds to the challenges facing the rescue crews, said Dietz. "If something goes wrong there, we're obligated to intervene, putting our rescuers at risk."

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