Heat Period: So Many People Drowned in the Southwest in June

Baden-Württemberg experienced a tragic surge in drownings during the hot month of June, with 13 fatalities recorded. This figure marks the highest for June in 25 years for the region, according to the German Life Saving Association (DLRG). The number of deaths has doubled compared to the previous year, when seven people drowned in June.

Nationwide, the DLRG reported 99 drowning deaths across Germany in June. Baden-Württemberg ranks third among the states for fatalities, following Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. The DLRG noted that a similar high number of June drownings nationally was last seen in 2003, a year characterized by an exceptionally hot summer often referred to as a "once-in-a-century summer."

Of the 13 drowning deaths in Baden-Württemberg, eight occurred in lakes, three in rivers, and two in swimming pools. A stark demographic detail emerged: 11 of the victims were men, while only two were women. This aligns with broader national trends where men are disproportionately represented among drowning victims.

The DLRG, described as the world's largest water rescue organization, maintains a significant presence in Baden-Württemberg. In 2025, the organization had 9,300 volunteer lifeguards active at 213 bodies of water and in 334 swimming pools across the state, highlighting the extensive efforts to ensure water safety.