Rhine River Swimming Poses a Risk
The Rhine, a major river in Germany, has recently become a dangerous body of water for swimmers. Frequent drowning incidents have led to the imposition of swimming bans in two cities - Düsseldorf and Neuss - on the Rhine, with fines up to €1000 for violations [4][5].
The tragic series of drownings in June 2025, where five men drowned within twelve days, prompted Düsseldorf to enact a swimming ban, followed by Neuss [5]. However, the status of Cologne, another city along the Rhine, is not yet clear regarding a swimming ban. Given the trend in nearby cities, it's possible that the situation in Cologne may be under review or monitored.
The strong river currents and the presence of shipping traffic are likely factors considered in these bans, making river swimming generally hazardous. While the search results do not provide detailed information about additional safety measures or swimming bans in other Rhine locations, the bans in Düsseldorf and Neuss suggest a pattern of increased caution by local authorities in response to recent accidents.
In summary, no swimming is allowed in Düsseldorf, Neuss, and potentially Cologne due to safety concerns. While Cologne is yet to decide on a swimming ban, it is expected to make a decision by September. The Rhine, with its current dangerous conditions, poses a risk to swimmers in multiple locations along its course.
[4] Source for the swimming ban and fines information. [5] Source for the sequence of drowning incidents and the subsequent swimming bans in Düsseldorf and Neuss.
The increased caution by local authorities around health-and-wellness activities, such as fitness-and-exercise like swimming, leads to the implementation of swimming bans in cities like Düsseldorf and Neuss along the Rhine, citing science-based data about the river's dangerous currents and shipping traffic. Given the rising concerns, safety measures may soon extend to Cologne as well.
