• Germany saw the highest number of drowning deaths in June since 2003, with at least 99 people drowning this year.
• Over 90% of drowning victims in June were male, with most victims being young people under 30 years old.
• The German Life Saving Association (DLRG) warned that many people underestimate the dangers in water, especially in lakes and rivers, and urged boys and men to assess their swimming abilities realistically.

Germany experienced more deaths by drowning in June, when the country experienced a heatwave, than in any other June since 2003, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) said on Sunday.

At least 99 people drowned this June, the DLRG said. The last time June saw more bathing deaths was during the heatwave in the summer of 2003, when 107 people died.

"The tragic start to the swimming season gives cause for concern that further heatwaves in high summer could again claim many lives in the water," DLRG President Ute Vogt said.

The DLRG says it is the world's largest water rescue organization with nearly 630,000 members. At the start of the summer holidays in several German states, lifeguards urged people not to underestimate dangers in the water.

Men most likely to drown

"More than 90% of the victims in June were male; among young people, all of them were," Vogt said. "We therefore appeal in particular to boys and men to assess their abilities realistically and refrain from risky actions."

She added: "There is no prize to win at a swimming lake but you can lose your life, Ishe said. In 2025, four out of five drowning victims were male, according to the DLRG.

Many victims are young

Most victims in June were young, with 40 of them aged no more than 30. As many as 35 victims whose ages were known were over 50.

Most fatal accidents in June occurred in lakes and rivers. Fewer people died in swimming pools, canals and at sea.

The analysis for June showed familiar patterns, the DLRG rescuers said. Many people underestimated dangers, especially currents and the temperature difference when jumping into the water.