Storm Warning? It Didn't Bother Them – 27 Rescues from Lake Balaton 🌊

On Lake Balaton it was once again proven that the summer idyll can quickly turn dangerous: between 17–19 July the officers of the Balaton Water Police had to rescue 27 people from the lake in 18 cases. Due to the stormy wind, SUP riders, surfers and sailors drifted into danger near the coastal settlements.

Most of the rescues took place at popular beaches on the southern and northern shores. Several sailboats ran aground on sandbanks or capsized, while the passengers of a vessel with a technical fault had to be brought to safety by the police. In one case the water police also assisted with resuscitation, showing how quickly a trip to Lake Balaton can become life-threatening.

Recklessness was also not in short supply: a 50-year-old man swam out on an inflatable mattress despite the storm warning near Siófok and drifted four kilometres from the shore. The police eventually brought him to safety as well. 🌊

The Somogy County Police Headquarters reminds everyone: a first-degree storm warning (45 flashes per minute) means you may only stay on the water within 500 metres of the shore. A second-degree warning (90 flashes per minute) prohibits swimming and the use of water sports equipment. Both holidaymakers and locals on Lake Balaton should pay attention to these signals, as sudden storms can ruin a beach day in seconds. ⚠️

Source: police.hu