Overview

• At least 321 people drowned in German waters through September 15, down 33 from the same period in 2024, according to the DLRG summer balance.
• Fatalities rose among 21–30-year-olds to 45 deaths, nearly all male, as men accounted for 84 percent of all victims.
• Most deaths occurred in lakes and ponds (142) and in rivers and streams (116), with far fewer in the sea and in pools.
• June recorded the heaviest toll during prolonged sunny weather, while July and August fell year on year, by 17 percent and 16 percent respectively.
• Bavaria, Hamburg, Hesse and Thuringia bucked the national decline with increases, and the DLRG said lifeguard rescues prevented many more deaths.