Urgent Situation - Man attempts to save woman bathing in Rhine river, disappears
A husband is reported missing after attempting to rescue his wife from the Rhine in Düsseldorf. The 34-year-old man jumped into the river to save his partner, who had been caught in a strong current while bathing. Although his wife was later rescued and resuscitated on a fire department boat, the man was not found despite a large-scale search involving boats, helicopters, and personnel.
The 31-year-old woman is being treated intensively in hospital. The couple's three children, who were present at the riverbank, are being cared for by emergency pastors. Other relatives are also present at the scene. The search for the missing man was called off on Monday due to the fast-moving current, which makes it difficult to predict where he could be located.
The Rhine is a federal waterway, and while bathing is not completely prohibited, certain areas, such as near bridges or harbor entrances, are off-limits. Fire department officials advise against bathing in the Rhine due to the strong currents. These can be hidden beneath the river's calm surface, and the suction from passing ships is another potential hazard.
Elsewhere, a 41-year-old man is missing following an accident at a lake in Steinfurt. The man had been kayaking with friends on Sunday when he went overboard. Another man in the group was also rescued, and a search is currently underway with helicopters, divers, and a search dog.
A 42-year-old man went missing in Moers while swimming at a lake. He was bathing with two colleagues on Saturday evening, but when they returned to their vehicles, the man remained at the Waldsee. When he was not found the following morning, the police were notified. Searches have been unsuccessful using helicopters, boats, divers, and a search dog, and the authorities assume the worst.
In Petershagen, on the Weser, a 61-year-old woman died while water-skiing. She fell into the water, and her husband turned the watercraft she was being towed behind, according to the water police in Duisburg. The husband rescued the unconscious woman, but rescue teams could not revive her. The cause of death is believed to be a medical emergency.
In total, 378 people drowned in Germany in 2023, a slight increase from the 355 fatalities recorded in 2022. Drowning incidents are most common in rivers and canals, with an increase from 105 to 135 reported last year. In North Rhine-Westphalia, however, the number of fatal drowning incidents has decreased compared to the country's overall trend. Weather is seen as a significant factor in the number of drowning incidents, as more people are drawn to water on warm days.
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Source: www.stern.de
