Horrified Londoners scream at tourists swimming in River Thames to 'get out!'

Londoners who spotted swimmers bathing in a busy section of the River Thames on Sunday evening screamed at them to get out before somebody was hurt.

Shortly after 7pm, two women entered the water at Folly House Beach, on the section of the river opposite the Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range.

The swimmers - believed to have been tourists - swam around 20 metres away from the shore, leaving onlookers concerned for their safety.

One eyewitness said: "I don't think they realise just how dangerous it is. Why would you do that?"

One witness was heard yelling at the pair to get out, but they did not appear to hear them. Another commented on how the water in this area was "disgusting".

Swimming in the River Thames is extremely dangerous, with people regularly getting into difficulty due to its tidal nature.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) actively discourages anyone from taking a dip in the Thames.

A spokesman for the PLA told Yahoo News UK: "Swimming in the River Thames is not advisable at any time. It is tidal and also, even in hot weather, can be very cold so could cause cold water shock.

"We would advise anyone wanting to cool off to do it in a safe place such as local swimming baths."

On the PLA website, advice continues. It says: "Swimming in the tidal Thames is not an activity which is encouraged.

"The tidal Thames is a fast-flowing waterway and the busiest inland waterway in the UK accommodating over 20,000 ship movements and hosting over 400 events each year.

"It is for these reasons the PLA restricts swimming throughout the majority of its jurisdiction for the safety of swimmers and river users."

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Metropolitan Police and Port of London Authority deal with drownings every summer as each year the tidal Thames sees at least 30 swimmers get into difficulty in the river.

Vessels can be forced to take sudden avoiding action if a swimmer appears in their channel, putting the vessel at risk of collision with bridges, piers or other vessels.

It is not believed any emergency services were called to Sunday's incident.

On Friday it was revealed by New Scientist that the Thames was so starved of oxygen in August 2022, due to sewage and hot weather, that it was effectively "put on life support".

A specialised boat was used to directly inject the gas into the water for 11 days that month to prevent plants and fish dying. As temperatures rise due to climate change, it is feared this may have to be done more often, despite recent efforts to clean up the river and improve oxygen levels.

Are you allowed to swim in the River Thames?

The PLA allows swimming to take place upriver of Putney Bridge through to Teddington - around 10 miles west of where swimmers were spotted in the River Thames yesterday. Swimming is only permitted in this area but those deciding to dive in are told to be aware that it is still a busy section of the tidal Thames for leisure and recreational activities.

The PLA advises to "never swim across the river".

It says: "Don't swim more than 10 metres from the water's edge, and stay as far inshore as possible.

"Try to remain in water shallow enough to stand up in so you are able to stand up and return to a place of safety should you get into difficulty."