Drowned people in Saxony-Anhalt: number of deaths has fallen significantly!

Drowned people in Saxony-Anhalt: number of deaths has fallen significantly!

Water accidents in Germany continue to develop worryingly. While only six people drowned in Saxony-Anhalt by September 15, 2023 - eight fewer than in the previous year - comprehensive statistics from the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) show that the number of drowned people nationwide fell to 321, although 33 fewer deaths were documented than in the previous year. The DLRG urgently appeals to the population to be aware of the dangers in and around water and to take appropriate precautionary measures. Borkener Zeitung reports that all of the people who drowned in Saxony-Anhalt were men. This includes a tragic age distribution that includes not only younger people, but especially men between the ages of 31 and 60.

As the DLRG reports in its current statistics, the situation in Germany is quite mixed. A total of 411 people drowned in bodies of water in 2023, an increase of 31 cases compared to 2022. This is the third consecutive increase in the number of drownings and the first time since 2019 that it has exceeded 400. DLRG President Ute Vogt still sees an opportunity in raising awareness among the population and plans to make parents of young children in particular aware of the particular dangers in water bodies.

Special times and circumstances

The temporal distribution of fatal accidents is also striking. In Saxony-Anhalt, the fatal accidents occurred between April and September, with one man dying in April in an alleged diving accident in the Geiseltalsee and another drowning in May after an drunken jump into the Süßen See. These sad case studies illustrate the dangers that are often underestimated in water bodies. ZDF Today also reports that the number of drownings in rivers has increased again - from 77 last year to 92 this year - and advises people to avoid swimming in rivers, as currents and cool water temperatures are often not sufficiently appreciated.

In addition, the DLRG shows that younger people and men are particularly at risk. This can be seen from the statistics showing that 76 percent of those who drowned are men. Older people, who often suffer from previous illnesses, are at particularly high risk. Almost a third of those who died were over 71 years old. It would be advisable to consult your doctor before going on a beach trip. In order to address these problems, the DLRG also provides helpful information on how to reduce risks when swimming, for example by wearing life jackets and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

A look into the future

The DLRG also warns that climate change could have a significant impact on the number of drownings, especially in flood areas. These connections and the study on the dangers in water are clearly visible, as around 20 percent of primary school children are considered non-swimmers and almost 60 percent are not safe in the water. Therefore, sustained education about the risks and correct behavior in the water is essential.