More people drowned in Germany from January to July than in the same period last year. At least 199 people drowned in the first seven months of the year, the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) announced on Thursday in the Baltic Sea resort of Damp in Schleswig-Holstein. This is an increase of 15 deaths compared to the same period last year.
Since the beginning of the bathing season in early May, lifeguards have counted 136 deaths, nine more than in the same period last year. DLRG President Ute Vogt cited the good weather in May, which many people used to go swimming, as one reason for the increase. “There were more accidents in the still cool waters.” In May, 30 women, men and children drowned. In May 2021 there were only eleven.
According to the DLRG, the majority of accidents occur inland in mostly unguarded waters. By the end of July, on the other hand, there were only four bathing deaths on the North and Baltic Seas. According to the DLRG, a total of 299 people died in swimming accidents in Germany in 2021. That was the lowest level in more than 20 years.
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