Last year the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) reported 393 fatal bathing incidents in German waters, 18 fewer deaths than in 2024, according to the DLRG on Tuesday. Most of these accidents occurred in June, when 69 people died. A particularly tragic weekend in June saw 15 drownings during swimming and bathing.
More than half of the fatalities happened during the bathing season from early May to the end of August. In July, a rainy month, the number of accidents declined, yet 52 people still lost their lives in the water. In August, 65 people drowned. Most victims were over 60, but deaths among those aged 11 to 30 rose compared with the previous year.
“We’re alarmed, and we hope this trend does not continue this year” said DLRG president Ute Vogt. “Only one of the 73 victims in these age groups was female. Among male teenagers and young men, recklessness and overconfidence, as well as alcohol consumption, unfortunately remain common factors in tragic accidents”. In 2025, among all victims of known gender, four out of five were male (82 percent).
Fatal drownings of children under ten were markedly lower than the 25‑year average (13 versus 29 cases). The DLRG had recorded fewer deaths in this age group in 2012 (12). Annual nonfatal drowning incidents also occur, often leaving survivors with serious lifelong injuries. The DLRG statistics do not include accidents that happen indoors, such as in home bathtubs.
The DLRG says the key to reducing accident numbers lies in enhanced prevention work and advocates expanding swimming education, especially in schools. Vogt noted that many children leave elementary school without learning to swim safely, creating an unnecessary life risk. Most fatal accidents happened in lakes and rivers, while the number of ocean deaths has decreased.
