Dusseldorf Warns: Rhine Swimming May Result in fatality risk
In the heart of Düsseldorf, the Rhine river, while a popular destination for leisurely activities such as cruises and sightseeing tours, is not a safe haven for swimmers. The river, a major commercial waterway, is known for its strong currents and heavy shipping traffic, making open swimming generally unsafe and officially discouraged.
This summer, the Düsseldorf fire department is taking extra measures to ensure public safety. They are putting up additional warning posters along the Rhine until permanent signage is installed at all typical bathing spots. These signs, displayed in German, English, Turkish, Arabic, and Ukrainian, provide the exact location in case of an emergency and contain behavioral guidelines to ensure a pleasant stay for all visitors to the Rhine.
Unfortunately, despite these precautions, there have been 42 alerts for people in the Rhine this year, with 9 of them occurring before May 21st. Two people have drowned this year while swimming in the Rhine, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The current in the fairway is particularly strong and can pull children into the water, especially when a ship passes by. Even where swimming is allowed, it can be life-threatening, particularly at 'kribben' - gravel banks protruding into the water - where treacherous whirlpools and currents often form.
The absence of specific designated swimming zones in Düsseldorf further emphasises the danger. A demonstration on May 21st at Paradise Beach showed the dangers of swimming in the Rhine, with a puppet quickly swept away by the current, demonstrating the river's treacherous nature.
When they receive a distress call, the rescue procedure involves using an inflatable boat to reach the person in the water. Five people have been rescued and taken to a hospital for further treatment this year.
Swimmers are advised to avoid entering the water except in very controlled or supervised environments, which are not reported in the current information. For the safety of all, it is best to stick to the designated leisure activities along the Rhine and avoid the risks associated with swimming in this dynamic and commercial river.
- Visitors should be aware that even though health-and-wellness activities are popular along the Rhine, science confirms the strong currents and heavy shipping traffic make open swimming dangerous and officially discouraged.
- To protect the public from potential accidents, science and health-and-wellness considerations prompted the installation of warning signs near the Rhine in multiple languages.
