Large search operation for an abandoned kayak on the Isel in Lienz!

Large search operation for an abandoned kayak on the Isel in Lienz!

On Sunday, July 6, 2025, an abandoned kayak in the Isel, around the city of Lienz, led to an extensive search operation by the police and water rescue. The green “Pelican” touring kayak was discovered, although it remained unclear whether there were people in distress in the water. This caused an alarm and a lot of activity in the operational area.

The search operation was joined by several police patrols who were positioned at various bridges along the Isel. The emergency medical helicopter “Christophorus 7” was also deployed to monitor the situation from the air. Ultimately, the kayak was recovered near Dölsach, but the search for possible people in distress was unsuccessful.

Cancellation of the search operation

After three and a half hours, at 12 p.m., the search was stopped without results. The Lienz police station appealed to water sports enthusiasts to report lost water sports equipment immediately in order to avoid such time- and resource-intensive operations. In the event of a loss, the police should be informed immediately on the emergency number 133 or the Tyrol control center on 122 or 144 in order to prevent false alarms.

Kayaks are very popular not only in Austria, but also in Germany. Last year over 23,000 canoes and kayaks were sold in Germany. Kayaks are versatile watercraft used for both recreational sports and competition. The classic kayaks have their origins in the Inuit language, where they are referred to as a “men’s boat” or “hunter’s boat”. In conjunction with the incident in Lienz, this illustrates how important safety awareness is in water sports.

Given the increasing popularity and the variety of kayaking areas, such as the famous Bohuslan in Sweden or the Vjosa River in Albania, basic equipment and safety are essential. The German Canoe Association currently has around 129,000 members, and in Germany there are over 7,300 km of navigable waterways for recreational paddlers, which offer opportunities for numerous active water sports enthusiasts.

The tragedy that 26 fatal canoeing accidents were recorded in Germany in 2023 underlines the need to take safety precautions, especially in confusing waters. Against the background of these statistics and the events in the Isel, such searches are not only costly, but also have considerable emotional weight for everyone involved.

The incident in Lienz shows once again that when it comes to water sports, the right behavior and the necessary caution must go hand in hand. It is hoped that such incidents can be avoided in the future by water sports enthusiasts being proactive and managing their equipment safely.

For more information on kayaks and water sports statistics visit kajak100.de.

For details about the search efforts and the incident in Lienz, please read the reports from 5min.at and Kurier.at.