261 drowning deaths in Germany by end of July, 15 more than 2025, DLRG reports

Nationwide toll rises

The Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG) presented its interim 2026 drowning statistics on 6 August, reporting 261 deaths in German waters between 1 January and 31 July. That figure is 15 higher than the same period in 2025. The DLRG, which describes itself as the world's largest water rescue organisation with roughly 630,000 members, released the data at presentations in Bad Nenndorf and Düsseldorf.

The period from early May to end of July alone saw 189 drowning deaths, the highest for that window since 2019, when 220 people died. A heatwave in late June drove a spike: 101 people drowned nationwide in June, a monthly total not seen since the hot summer of 2003. July added at least 59 deaths, six more than July 2025. Fatalities declined in the weeks following the late-June heatwave.

Where and how people drowned

Around 90 percent of fatal accidents occurred in freely accessible inland waters without lifeguard presence. Lakes and ponds accounted for 118 deaths, 22 more than the previous year. Rivers and streams claimed 90 victims, 12 fewer than in 2025. Canals saw 17 deaths, the Baltic Sea 14, and swimming pools 14. No fatalities were recorded in the North Sea. Large inland waters such as the Rhine and Lake Constance were singled out as particularly dangerous.

Young men and older victims

Deaths among people aged 11 to 30 rose sharply, from 49 in 2025 to 75. Ninety-five percent of those young victims were male. Across all age groups, 85 percent of drowning victims were men. DLRG President Ute Vogt cited reckless behaviour, often combined with alcohol or other drugs, and insufficient swimming ability as key factors.

As a result of reckless behaviour, often in connection with alcohol and other drugs, bathing accidents occur again and again among boys and young men.

More than one in four victims with a known age was over 70. Eight children aged 10 or under died, one fewer than in 2025.

Regional picture

Bavaria recorded the most deaths with 54, three more than 2025. North Rhine-Westphalia saw the steepest increase: 50 deaths, up from 35, a rise of roughly 43 percent and the largest percentage jump of any state. Six people drowned in Düsseldorf alone. Berlin rose from 9 to 13. Several states bucked the trend: Baden-Württemberg dropped from 28 to 26, Lower Saxony from 24 to 23, and Bremen from 3 to 2.

Stefan Albrecht, president of the DLRG's North Rhine state association, warned of the Rhine's hazards, noting that currents, changing water levels and the suction from passing ships are regularly underestimated.

Anyone who stays on the Rhine quickly finds themselves in mortal danger.

Calls for action

Vogt said the situation would only improve sustainably when federal, state and local governments invested more broadly in renovating dilapidated swimming pools and in school swimming lessons. The DLRG estimates that the majority of children still leave primary school without a swimming badge. The organisation also called for public awareness campaigns and a national strategy to reduce water fatalities, as recommended by the World Health Organization.

We assume that the majority of children still leave primary school without having earned a swimming badge, or being able to swim.