What began as a typical summer day at a public pool in Gelnhausen, Germany, has now turned into the focus of a serious police investigation.
A group of young schoolgirls—just trying to enjoy a day out in the water—reported being sexually harassed by a group of men, sparking outrage, concern, and a full-blown criminal probe.
Schoolgirls Raise Alarms—But Are Told to Keep Swimming
The alleged incidents took place at Barbarossabad, an outdoor swimming pool popular with families in Hesse.
Initially, five girls—aged between 11 and 17—approached lifeguards to report being touched inappropriately while in the pool.
Rather than taking immediate action, pool staff reportedly told the children to return to swimming and to let them know if anything else happened.
It wasn’t until additional girls stepped forward with similar complaints that police were finally called.
Police Now Investigating Nine Reported Victims
Authorities have now confirmed that they are investigating claims from nine girls.
All of them allege they were inappropriately touched while in the whirlpool section of the pool.
The police have identified four young Syrian men, aged between 18 and 28, as suspects.
Three of the men were still at the pool when officers arrived on Sunday; the fourth had already left the scene.
Pool Manager and Mayor React to the Incident
Speaking with local outlet Hessenschau, pool manager Nils Tischer admitted that the situation was handled poorly in the moment.
“Since we couldn’t see exactly what had happened,” he said, “we sent the girls back into the water with the instruction to let us know if anything else happened.”
Tischer later told Bild that the staff is now on high alert and are paying increased attention to guest safety in the area where the alleged incidents occurred.
Gelnhausen’s mayor, Christian Litzinger, also spoke out, stating that all four suspects were already known to local authorities and reside in the Main-Kinzig district.
He emphasized that nothing of this nature had ever happened at the pool before, aside from minor incidents like petty theft or verbal insults.
Local Community in Shock as Security Tightens
Following the allegations, the city has officially banned the four men from re-entering the pool.
Police presence at the location has also been stepped up to support the pool staff and reassure the public.
Tischer acknowledged the community’s distress, saying: “Of course, the shock is great.
We’re thankful for the police’s support as we try to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
A Bigger Picture: Germany’s Syrian Population and Ongoing Debate
This case has also reignited broader conversations about immigration, integration, and public safety.
Germany has the largest Syrian population outside the Middle East, with many having fled the civil war over the past decade.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to open Germany’s borders to hundreds of thousands of refugees in 2015 remains a deeply divisive issue in the country’s political landscape.
Incidents like this—while still under investigation—are likely to stir more debate around refugee integration and community cohesion.
What Happens Next?
For now, the investigation into the alleged sexual assaults continues.
The local authorities are gathering witness statements, reviewing any possible security footage, and working to determine exactly what happened in the water that day.
Meanwhile, many in Gelnhausen are left grappling with the shock that something so serious could happen in such a familiar, everyday setting.
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