Diver Missing at Germany’s Lake Starnberg After Disappearing at 40 Metres

A 63-year-old diver is missing after becoming separated from two companions during a dive at Lake Starnberg in Bavaria, Germany.

The diver, who is reported to be from Munich, was diving with two friends on Saturday, September 19, at the Allmannshauser Steilwand, a well-known diving site on the eastern side of the lake near Berg in the Starnberg district. 

According to information released by police and the Starnberg water rescue service, the group entered the water at around 10am.

Approximately 30 minutes into the dive, at a reported depth of around 40 metres, the other two divers saw the beam from their companion’s torch moving away from them. They attempted to follow the light but were unable to reach him. 

The two divers subsequently surfaced, initially believing that their companion may have lost his torch and would make his own way back to the surface.

When he failed to appear, the emergency services were alerted at approximately 11:25am. 

Large-Scale Search Launched

A substantial search and rescue operation was launched around the Allmannshauser Steilwand.

According to German media reports, multiple water rescue teams and boats were deployed alongside rescue divers, sonar equipment and underwater drones.

Two rescue helicopters were also involved, together with a police helicopter and other emergency personnel. 

Despite several hours of searching, rescuers were unable to locate the missing diver.

The large-scale operation was brought to an end at around 3pm on Saturday without the man being found. 

As of Sunday morning, September 20, the 63-year-old remained missing. 

A Deep and Challenging Dive Site

The Allmannshauser Steilwand is one of Lake Starnberg’s best-known diving locations and attracts divers from beyond the local area.

The underwater wall descends beyond 70 metres in places, with sections reported to reach approximately 85 metres. Diving using standard compressed-air equipment is restricted to a maximum depth of 40 metres at the site. 

The location has also been the scene of previous diving emergencies.

In October 2025, a diver was airlifted to a specialist hyperbaric facility after making an emergency ascent at the Allmannshauser Steilwand and developing symptoms consistent with decompression illness. 

Restrictions introduced at Lake Starnberg following earlier accidents include a prohibition on solo diving and equipment requirements intended for cold-water diving. 

The circumstances surrounding Saturday’s disappearance have not yet been established.

The Scuba News will update this story if further information is released by German authorities or the rescue services.