Starting August 15, 2025, the city of Neuss has implemented a comprehensive ban on swimming in the Rhine River, citing dangerous currents and recurring fatal accidents, and aligning with similar measures taken by neighboring cities like Düsseldorf.

The ban in Neuss covers all activities in water deeper than ankle level, including swimming, splashing, sports, and cooling off, with exceptions for rescue operations, boating, and fishing.

Violators of the ban in Neuss can face fines of up to 1,000 euros, as part of a broader effort to prevent accidents and drownings in the river.

Düsseldorf has also enforced a similar ban, with fines reaching up to 1,000 euros, after previous warnings and campaigns failed to dissuade people from swimming in the river.

The city of Düsseldorf reports that most neighboring cities, including Köln, Bonn, and Wesel, are interested in adopting similar bans, with Köln already considering a resolution for a formal ban.

While Wesel is contemplating a ban, it emphasizes the challenges of enforcement and relies on signage and prevention campaigns to raise awareness about the river’s dangers.

These bans are a response to ongoing accidents and drownings, highlighting the unsafe conditions of the Rhine despite its popularity for recreation.

Düsseldorf’s mayor, Stephan Keller, notes that nearly all neighboring cities are exploring or preparing to implement similar measures, seeking to standardize safety regulations along the river.

Neuss’s mayor, Reiner Breuer, underscores that the river’s unpredictable currents pose serious risks even in shallow water, and the primary goal of the ban is to protect lives.

The Neuss ban explicitly prohibits activities such as swimming, splashing, and sports in water deeper than ankle level, with specific exceptions for rescue, boating, and fishing.

Officials in Bonn are still evaluating the possibility of a similar ban, aiming for a consistent regulation across the Rhine, though control remains challenging due to the river’s length.

Overall, authorities are moving toward uniform safety measures along the Rhine, with cities like Köln and Bonn actively discussing or preparing to introduce bans to prevent further tragedies.

City officials also promote alternative, safer swimming options such as public pools, emphasizing that no one needs to risk the dangerous currents of the Rhine to cool off.