Berlin Endures Icy Grip: Rescues and Persistent Warnings as Winter Continues
Berlin, January 12 – The German capital is currently experiencing a challenging winter, marked by freezing temperatures, icy conditions, and a series of incidents related to frozen waterways. Authorities are issuing urgent warnings to the public to stay off ice surfaces, as several dangerous situations have already unfolded.
Man Rescued from Havel River After Falling from Ship
On Sunday, January 11, at approximately 10:40 AM, emergency services were called to “Am Ziegelhof” in Berlin-Spandau after a 50-year-old dockworker fell from a ship into the Havel River. Firefighters successfully rescued the man from the water, but he required resuscitation and was subsequently transported to a hospital. A rescue helicopter was also deployed during the operation, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Police Confront Ice Skaters on Rummelsburg Bay and Lake Zeuthen
Despite repeated warnings from the Berlin police, many residents continue to venture onto frozen lakes and canals, often engaging in ice skating. On Saturday, January 10, police utilized a helicopter to address approximately 200 individuals on the ice at Rummelsburg Bay. A loudspeaker announcement urged them to leave the dangerous surface. Similarly, around 80 people were found on the ice at Lake Zeuthen, prompting a similar police intervention. Authorities emphasize that the ice is not safe and that venturing onto it is potentially life-threatening.
Near Miss at Lohmühlenbrücke: Man Breaks Through Ice But Self-Rescues
Another alarming incident occurred on Sunday, January 11, around 1:45 PM, near the Lohmühlenbrücke, which connects the districts of Neukölln and Treptow. A person broke through the ice but managed to rescue themselves. Police, responding to the scene, found an estimated 50 to 70 people on the ice and used loudspeakers to instruct them to evacuate the area, reiterating the risk of the ice breaking.
Persistent Warnings Against Unsafe Ice Conditions
The police and water rescue services continue to caution the public against entering frozen lakes, rivers, and canals throughout Berlin and Brandenburg. Heiko Schmidt, head of the Water Police in Police Directorate West in Brandenburg, stated, “Despite the recent nights of frost, no one should feel safe! Appearances are often deceiving, especially when there is snow on the ice.” He further explained that even a seemingly solid ice cover and severe frost do not guarantee safety. Factors such as water flow, inflowing wastewater, and shipping can affect ice thickness. Additionally, currents can bring warmer water from the bottom to the surface, creating dangerously thin and undetectable spots.
Cold Weather Aid for the Homeless Intensifies
As temperatures plummet, Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) confirmed that additional emergency overnight shelters for homeless individuals are being well utilized. “So far, everything has worked very well,” Kiziltepe stated after visiting a night café at Zoo Station. All cold weather aid buses are in operation, and emergency shelters are over 90 percent occupied. The city has even provided an additional 100 beds over the weekend. Kiziltepe urged the public to be vigilant and report any homeless individuals in need of assistance to the Kältehilfe-App, the Berliner Stadtmission cold bus (030 690 333 690), the DRK-Landesverband warm bus (030 600 300 10 10), or the Kältehilfetelefon (030 34397140). In cases of apparent helplessness or unresponsiveness, citizens are advised to contact the police (110) or emergency services (112).
Winter Swimmers Brave Icy Orankesee
Despite the extreme cold, a group of brave winter swimmers ventured into Orankesee. Members of the “Berliner Seehunde” club had to break through a twelve-centimeter-thick layer of ice to access the water. Uta Wilczok from the club highlighted the growing popularity of winter swimming, citing its perceived health benefits and strong community aspect. However, she strongly advised against swimming alone and emphasized the importance of regular participation.
BSR Rejects Proposal for Sidewalk Snow Removal
The Berlin city cleaning service (BSR) has rejected a proposal from the Green Party to take over sidewalk snow removal in addition to clearing streets. BSR spokesman Sebastian Harnisch stated that this would entail an additional 12,000 kilometers of pathways, requiring significantly more resources for only a few snowy days a year. He also noted the complexity of sidewalk clearing compared to roads and the potential impact on street cleaning fees. The Greens had argued that the current system, which places responsibility on homeowners, is ineffective.
BVG and S-Bahn Offer Shelter to Homeless During Extreme Cold
While train stations cannot serve as official overnight shelters for security reasons, BVG and S-Bahn have clarified that homeless individuals will not be turned away during extreme cold. Security personnel are instructed to act with sensitivity, inform homeless people about available services, and help them find suitable support structures. During extreme cold, station management can suspend enforcement of house rules, and employees are advised not to evict homeless individuals, especially during nighttime hours.
Source: morgenpost.de
