German swimming lake open only to people who understand German

© picture alliance / dpa | Hendrik Schmidt

A swimming lake in Halle, in eastern Germany, has introduced a new admission policy under which swimmers who do not speak enough German are denied entry. The reason? They would not be able to properly understand the safety instructions.

The measure was implemented following a recent rescue at the Heidesee: a lifeguard had to pull a toddler out of deep water after the parents were unable to follow instructions.

The decision drew strong criticism from city officials. They call the rule “xenophobic” and “discriminatory” and believe it effectively excludes certain population groups from public access to the lake. According to the city, this could damage Halle’s reputation. The city is demanding that the measure be repealed immediately.

The lake’s operator rejects these accusations. He says he's not acting out of racist or xenophobic motives, but for safety reasons: the lake is not an ordinary swimming pool, but a former open-pit mine with areas up to 13 meters deep and steeply sloping banks. According to him, anyone entering the water must be able to understand the rules; otherwise, as the person in charge, he risks serious consequences if something goes wrong.

“I’m responsible for the pool. If something happens, they’ll all point the finger at me. Death is death,” the operator told Bild. He's aware that his admission policy is causing controversy. “No one has complained on site. I’ve also received a lot of support from lifeguards across the country.”

Meanwhile, the city council is asking him to find less drastic solutions. They are considering universal pictograms, clear safety signs, and warnings in multiple languages, so that the rules are understandable to all visitors without excluding any groups. A spokesperson for the German Anti-Discrimination Agency has also criticized the measure and is considering possible legal action.

Picture: © picture alliance / dpa | Hendrik Schmidt