Heatwave draws over 120,000 to Berlin pools; temporary entry stops enacted

Berlin's outdoor pools experienced an overwhelming influx of visitors over the weekend as temperatures soared close to 40 degrees Celsius. A total of 120,159 people sought refuge from the heat in the city's swimming facilities, according to the Berliner Bäder-Betriebe.

The intense heatwave, following a record-breaking weekend, saw massive crowds at the pools. This surge in visitors resulted in temporary admission freezes and significant queues at many locations on both Saturday and Sunday. The ticket sales were halted at times to manage the flow of people.

Despite the large numbers and the challenging conditions, the Berliner Bäder-Betriebe reported a relatively smooth operation. While some visitors experienced minor health issues, primarily related to circulation, no major incidents occurred that necessitated police intervention. This was seen as a positive outcome given the extreme weather and the sheer volume of people.

Since the start of the swimming season on May 1, the outdoor pools have welcomed a total of 560,491 visitors. Most facilities opened in early June, with the Columbiabad in Neukölln reopening only last week after addressing technical issues.