River restriction enforced: Another prohibition on swimming in the Rhine for the third city - River Bathing Prohibition Expanded: Rhine River Swimming Banned in Third City
A strict bathing ban is currently in effect on the Rhine in the North Rhine-Westphalia cities of Düsseldorf, Neuss, and Meerbusch. The ban, aimed at preventing accidents and health risks associated with swimming in the Rhine under unsafe conditions, has been implemented due to a significant increase in bathing accidents and the deployment of rescue services [1][2].
The bathing ban applies to all three municipalities, and violators can expect fines or other administrative penalties enforced by local authorities. In Meerbusch, the ban prohibits deliberate lingering with the body in more than knee-deep water for recreational, sporting, or leisure purposes, including swimming, wading, or playing in the water [1][2]. The ban spans an approximately eleven-kilometer-long Rhine front, from the Krefeld city border in the north to Düsseldorf-Lörick in the south, and is formulated in close alignment with the Düsseldorf regulations. Bathing is only allowed up to the ankle along the Rhine banks [1][2].
The increased number of bathing accidents and the need to relieve local rescue services have led to the implementation of the bathing ban. The mayor of Meerbusch, Christian Bommers (CDU), hopes that the ban will help in this regard, as Meerbusch rescue services have responded to the riverbank 25 times with the alarm reason "Person in the Rhine" from January 2024 to including July 2025 [1][2].
The danger of the Rhine is often underestimated or ignored, despite its inherent dangers. A spokesperson for the water police recently emphasized the risks, citing currents, whirlpools, shipping traffic, and suddenly dropping riverbanks as potential hazards, even for experienced swimmers [1][2]. The Rhine remains one of the most dangerous waters for swimmers in Germany, according to a DLRG spokesperson [1][2].
The number of deaths in the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia up to the end of July this year is ten, according to the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) [1][2]. This is the highest number of deaths in the Rhine in recent years, surpassing the previous year's total of 14 incidents [1][2].
Other cities, such as Krefeld, may follow the example of Düsseldorf and implement similar regulations. The city council in Cologne is set to decide on this matter at the beginning of September [1][2]. It is important to have uniform, legally binding regulations in all neighboring municipalities for clarity, as stated by Meerbusch's mayor, Christian Bommers (CDU) [1][2].
Bathing in the Rhine is compared to picking flowers on the highway due to its inherent dangers. The public order offices are enforcing the bathing ban, and violations will be punished as an administrative offense, with fines of up to 1,000 euros [1][2]. The city of Meerbusch has emphasized that the summer is not over yet, and the bathing ban is in place to ensure public safety [1][2].
[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2 (if applicable)
The council in Cologne is considering implementing regulations regarding bathing in the Rhine, similar to those enforced in Düsseldorf and other cities, following an increase in bathing accidents and injuries. These regulations are aimed at improving safety and reducing health risks due to the inherent dangers of the Rhine, as highlighted by various authorities and science. The strict bathing ban, which already includes Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 16 December 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound power level of motor vehicles, is being enforced to promote health-and-wellness among citizens and visitors.
