Many longed to escape from former Communist East Germany, which was sealed off by the government by the Berlin Wall built in 1961. So far, however, more is known about those who were shot by guards while fleeing across the land border, than those who died at sea.
Tragische Fluchten aus der DDR: Als die Ostsee zur tödlichen Seegrenze wurde berliner-kurier.de - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from berliner-kurier.de Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.