Dead in German lake: Missing British brothers, 9 and 7, found dead after drowning in lake | World | New
The boys disappeared while in the Eiserbachsee, an outdoor natural pool in Simmerath, near Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia. A police spokesman told local media this morning (Friday) that the brothers, aged 7 and 9, were reported missing by their parents on Thursday evening.
The two boys were swimming in the pool, adjoining Lake Rursee, when they disappeared. The alert was given around 6 p.m.
Lifeguards and lifeguards were dispatched to the scene and the children’s bodies were pulled from the water.
The boys were first resuscitated and then taken to hospital by helicopter.
One was taken to a children’s hospital in Cologne, while the other was taken to the University Hospital in Aachen, both in “critical” condition.
Sadly, they passed away later that evening. The family were tourists vacationing in the area.
The prosecution is now said to be examining whether there are any suspicions of a criminal offence, with the investigation due to conclude by the middle of next week.
However, a spokesperson told NTV: “We are not focusing on anyone in particular, we are just doing our job.”
Investigators have not yet figured out how the crash happened, a police spokesman said.
Thursday was said to be sunny in the region, with many people drawn to the water to cool off from 30 degree temperatures.
Lake Rursee is located in the Eifel National Park and is home to a number of water tourist attractions.
North Rhine-Westphalia police confirmed the two British boys had died in a statement, describing it as a “tragic swimming accident”.
It comes just a month after it was reported that a 16-year-old and a 10-year-old jumped into the same body of water when neither could swim.
First responders could have saved the youngest, but the teenager unfortunately drowned.
According to the German Lifesaving Society, at least 199 people drowned in German waters in the first seven months of this year.
Of these, 180 – or around 90% – of the incidents occurred in inland waters such as rivers and lakes.
