Local authorities in Esch-sur-Sûre are warning of significant public safety concerns this weekend after a sharp increase in visitors to the Upper Sûre lake region led to incidents of vandalism and reckless behaviour on area roads.
The surge in visitors follows the closure of Romm-Wiss beach in the neighbouring Boulaide commune, pushing even larger crowds towards the four beaches managed by Esch-sur-Sûre. Mayor Mireille Welter explained to RTL that, unlike Romm-Wiss, the local beaches cannot simply be closed to the public, as doing so would also prevent residents in nearby villages from accessing their homes.
Welter expressed deep concern over the escalating situation, citing recent examples of motorists driving at speeds up to 120km/h along roads where the legal limit is just 70km/h. The increased traffic and large crowds have already resulted in several dangerous situations, she warned.
Vandalism has also been reported, with a car park barrier damaged on Saturday evening. Although the barrier was repaired promptly, Welter noted that inconsiderate parking remains a major problem, with numerous vehicles blocking driveways and garage entrances. The high temperatures have drawn unprecedented numbers of people to the lake throughout the past week, and local officials say the situation deteriorated further over the weekend.
Asked for comment, Boulaide Mayor Jeff Gangler confirmed on Sunday afternoon that Romm-Wiss beach still had capacity for additional visitors. Still, he emphasised the need for careful management of arrivals to avoid future issues. Gangler urged visitors to respect emergency access routes and act responsibly at all times. A ranger from the Upper Sûre Nature Park reported that, despite the crowds, the atmosphere on Sunday was "calm given the circumstances".
The operators of the area’s other swimming lakes had not announced any closures as of Saturday afternoon. As alternatives, officials highlighted the lakes in Echternach and Weiswampach for those seeking respite from the heat.
