Rhine river bathing in Neuss to be prohibited - measure to prevent dangerous activities endangering lives
In an effort to prevent accidents and save lives, the cities of Neuss and Düsseldorf are contemplating a ban on swimming in the Rhine. The decision comes in response to ongoing life-threatening behavior, particularly among children and young people who may be unaware of the river's dangers.
The Rhine's flow conditions, sudden water depths, and ship traffic make swimming in the river highly risky. Dangerous situations continue to occur not just in Neuss, but along the entire length of the river.
Mayor Reiner Breuer of Neuss emphasizes the necessity of the planned ban, stating that it is crucial to address the ongoing life-threatening behavior. The new regulation in Neuss is intended to supplement existing safety measures in a binding manner.
Neuss is collaborating with Düsseldorf to draft an ordinance banning swimming in the Rhine on their territories. The city is also actively working on the design of this ordinance.
The city has been regularly warning about the dangers in the Rhine through measures like warning signs and social media posts. However, despite these efforts, dangerous situations persist.
The city is reviewing the potential fines associated with the proposed swimming ban. The goal is to create clear and understandable rules with the new ordinance, setting a clear signal for more safety.
The cities hope to protect lives as much as possible before tragic accidents occur. They aim to create a uniform approach along the Rhine with their actions, seeking support from other cities.
It is worth noting that the city of Neuss is acting at the municipal level due to the lack of a higher-level solution from the federal government. The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Interior has clarified that cities do have the right to impose bathing bans.
As of August 2025, there is no indication of a proposed swimming ban in the Rhine specifically in Neuss and Düsseldorf. In fact, river swimming events and traditions in the Rhine continue to flourish, especially in places like Basel, where official Rhine river swimming events attract thousands of participants.
Historically, bans on swimming in urban rivers, such as Berlin's Spree River since the 1920s, have been implemented due to toxic water and pollution concerns. While water quality in the Rhine has improved overall, intermittent pollution can occur, especially after heavy rains which cause runoff and temporary contamination.
Other concerns potentially relevant but not specifically cited for Neuss or Düsseldorf include strong currents and variability in water levels, industrial shipping traffic posing navigational hazards, lack of formal infrastructure for safe river access, lifeguards, and monitoring, and legal and regulatory safety standards and heritage protections that complicate setting up swimming facilities.
Despite these challenges, swimming in the Rhine continues in some cities with proper safety measures and local support. There is no confirmed or current official ban proposal for swimming in the Rhine at Neuss and Düsseldorf reported in the available recent sources. If any proposals exist, they may still be under discussion or early stages without public final decisions.
- The mayors of Neuss and Düsseldorf are considering policy-and-legislation to draft an ordinance that would ban swimming in the Rhine, as part of a broader effort to address ongoing life-threatening behavior and supplement existing safety measures.
- Controversy surrounding swimming in the Rhine persists, with some cities, like Basel, continuing to host popular river swimming events, while others, like Neuss and Düsseldorf, are contemplating bans due to concerns over safety and politics.
