Germany recorded 99 drowning deaths in June 2026, marking the highest number for the month in more than 20 years as an intense heatwave swept across large parts of Europe.
The figures were released by Germany’s national lifeguarding federation (DLRG), which said the number of fatalities was the highest recorded for June since the devastating European heatwave of 2003.
According to the federation, Germany had not experienced such a high number of drowning incidents in June since 2003, when 107 people lost their lives during one of Europe’s deadliest heatwaves.
The country was among several European nations affected by unusually high temperatures throughout June, with the extreme weather setting new temperature records in different regions.
In some locations, temperatures climbed as high as 41.7 degrees Celsius, intensifying the effects of the prolonged heat.
The soaring temperatures encouraged large numbers of people to seek relief in rivers, lakes and other open water bodies, contributing to the rise in drowning incidents.
The DLRG noted that the heatwave also resulted in widespread challenges across Germany, including destructive wildfires, disruptions to rail transportation and an increase in heat-related deaths.
According to the organisation, young men accounted for the majority of the drowning victims.
Of the victims whose ages were confirmed, 40 were younger than 30 years, making them the largest affected age group.
The federation further disclosed that more than 90 per cent of those who drowned were male.
Commenting on the statistics, DLRG President Ute Vogt said men were generally more likely to engage in risky behaviour around water.
“Men are more likely to take excessive risks and underestimate the dangers. They also enter the water more frequently under the influence of alcohol or other drugs,” Vogt said.
She explained that poor judgement, overconfidence and impairment caused by alcohol or narcotics significantly increased the likelihood of fatal accidents in natural water bodies.
The federation also observed that most of the drowning incidents occurred in lakes and rivers rather than in supervised swimming pools or designated recreational facilities.
Safety experts have repeatedly warned that natural water bodies often present hidden dangers, including strong currents, sudden drops in water depth, cold underwater temperatures and limited emergency response opportunities.
The DLRG urged members of the public to observe basic water safety precautions during periods of extreme heat by avoiding swimming under the influence of alcohol, respecting warning signs and ensuring that children are adequately supervised around water.
Authorities have also encouraged swimmers to use designated beaches and locations where trained lifeguards are present, particularly during the peak summer season.
The latest figures have renewed calls for greater public awareness campaigns on water safety as climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Europe.
Experts warn that prolonged periods of extreme heat are likely to encourage more people to seek recreational activities in open water, making preventive education and improved safety measures increasingly important.
