63 Year Old Diver Missing After Dive at Lake Starnberg in Germany
Update 20 Sep 2026
Police now say the diver was at approximately 40 metres depth when he disappeared. His two companions reportedly attempted to follow the light from his dive torch as it moved away from them, but were unable to reach him. He subsequently failed to surface.
This is a material addition to the earlier report, which established only that the three had been diving together and that the 63-year-old failed to return.
A large operation involving water rescue personnel, rescue and police helicopters and drones searched for him, but the search was called off Saturday afternoon without locating him.
What remains unconfirmed: Why his light appeared to move away from his companions is unknown and should not be interpreted as evidence of sinking, loss of control or any particular accident mechanism. His gas status, equipment condition, dive profile and reason for separation remain unknown.
GERMANY — A large search operation is underway at Lake Starnberg in Bavaria after a 63 year old diver failed to return from a dive near the Allmannshausen Wall on Saturday, September 19.
According to police information reported by German public broadcaster BR24, the diver entered the lake on Saturday morning as part of a group of three. He was diving with two companions near the Allmannshausen Wall, a well known deep diving site on the eastern side of Lake Starnberg.
The man was reportedly no longer seen after approximately 30 minutes underwater. His two companions returned, but the 63 year old did not, prompting an extensive search involving emergency services.
Search Operation Underway
Emergency teams have been searching both the lake and the surrounding area.
According to BR24, the operation has involved water rescue personnel, police and rescue helicopters, and drones. As of Saturday evening, the missing diver had not been located.
German news agency dpa also reported, citing police, that the man was still missing despite the search operation.
Authorities have not released further details about the diver’s experience level, planned maximum depth, breathing gas, equipment configuration, or dive profile.
There has also been no official indication of what may have happened underwater.
Allmannshausen Wall Is a Deep Diving Site
The Allmannshausen Wall is located on the eastern side of Lake Starnberg and is widely known among German divers.
The underwater wall descends to significant depths, with sections extending beyond 70 metres. BR24 reports that some areas reach approximately 85 metres.
Local diving information describes the area as a site intended for experienced divers because of its steep underwater topography and considerable depth.
The location has also been associated with serious diving accidents in previous years. However, the history of accidents at the site does not establish what happened in the current incident, and no connection should be assumed until investigators provide further information.
Cause Remains Unknown
At this stage, there is no confirmed information indicating whether the diver encountered an equipment problem, a medical emergency, buoyancy difficulty, disorientation, a gas related issue, or another problem during the dive.
Determining the cause will depend on the outcome of the search and any subsequent investigation.
Developing story: Diventures Magazine will update this article as authorities release verified information about the missing diver and the search operation.
Sources: Tauchgewässer, Sueddeutsche, BR24
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