German vacationers rescued after near‑drowning at Austria's Wörthersee

Two German women on holiday in Velden, Austria, borrowed an electric boat on the Wörthersee. After the boat left the dock, both fell into the water and were unable to climb back onto the vessel. One of the women managed to re‑enter the boat, but her companion remained stranded and began to panic.

The women initially called the boat rental company and their hotel before dialing Austria's emergency number 130. Rescue services responded quickly: police boats arrived first, and a police officer entered the electric boat, supporting the woman in the water. A diver from the local water rescue team and a helicopter crew also assisted. Together they lifted the distressed tourist into the boat and returned her to shore. The incident highlighted the higher entry step of the electric boat and prompted rescue officials to advise tourists to check for boarding assistance when renting watercraft.