Missing 15-year-old after swimming accident at Irrsee: Search continues

The police set up a dedicated investigative team to reconstruct the exact sequence of events. Initial interviews with the teenager's companions are underway; investigators did not initially comment on possible causes – such as currents, jumping into shallow water, or health issues.

The region around the Irrsee is one of the frequented bathing spots in the Salzkammergut. On hot summer days, hundreds of guests often gather there. Authorities once again called on swimmers to enter the water only at supervised areas and within marked zones.

The missing person's family is receiving psychological support from the crisis intervention team, according to the team. A support team is also available for emergency services personnel, offering conversations as needed.

Difficult conditions beneath the surface

The search is proving difficult: with a maximum depth of around 32 meters and partly muddy bottom, the Irrsee is challenging for divers. Visibility under water is low, according to the fire department, which is why search teams are proceeding section by section.

On Tuesday morning, additional cave rescue diving units and special equipment such as sonar devices reinforced the search. The operations command stated that they wanted to "leave no option unused to find the youth."

Residents told police that the Tiefgraben bathing area was very busy on the afternoon in question. Information from the public regarding possible observations is being accepted via the police hotline.

Authorities close bathing area and ask for information

The authorities announced that the bathing area would be temporarily closed to public access during the ongoing search operation. Warning signs and barrier tape were put up on Tuesday; bathers were asked to avoid the area.

The fire department and water rescue service appealed to those seeking recreation to check the water depth before jumping in and to observe information signs regarding the use of the bathing areas. A police spokesperson said: „Bitte unterstützen Sie unsere Einsatzkräfte nicht durch unnötige Neugier am Einsatzort."

Consequences and investigations

The search for the 15-year-old continues. Should the suspicion of a swimming accident be confirmed, the Ranshofen public prosecutor's office will take over the case after the recovery operations are completed.

The incident evokes memories of earlier swimming accidents at the Irrsee and at other lakes in Upper Austria, in which people – including children and teenagers – have repeatedly lost their lives in recent years.