Laura Dahlmeier, one of Germany’s most celebrated biathletes, has died in a tragic climbing accident while ascending a remote mountain in northern Pakistan, according to local officials.
Dahlmeier was attempting to climb Laila Peak, a 6,069-meter summit in the Karakoram range, on Monday when she was struck by falling rocks. Her climbing partner, Marina Eva, survived the incident and was able to send a distress signal. She later descended to base camp with help from rescuers.
Faizullah Faraq, a spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan regional government, confirmed Dahlmeier’s death on Wednesday. However, her body could not be retrieved due to severe weather conditions in the area. Any effort to recover her remains will be made in accordance with her family’s wishes.
A message posted on Dahlmeier’s official Instagram page stated that she had clearly expressed her desire that no one should risk their life to recover her body in the event of an accident. Her family has extended gratitude to the rescue teams and fellow climbers who made every effort to help.
The fatal incident occurred around noon Monday at approximately 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) above sea level. According to the Instagram statement, Eva spent several hours trying to rescue Dahlmeier but was forced to retreat due to continued rockfalls and challenging terrain. With no further signs of life from her partner, she made the difficult decision to leave the area and descend.
Military helicopters were prepared to assist in the mission, but persistent bad weather has grounded those efforts. Climbers, including two Americans, have also attempted to reach the area in hopes of helping.
Dahlmeier had been traveling in the region with friends since late June and had successfully summited the 6,287-meter Great Trango Tower earlier in July. Laila Peak was her second target of the trip.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his condolences to Dahlmeier’s family, describing her as “an exceptional sportswoman” and a role model who inspired across borders. He recalled awarding her Germany’s highest sports honor, the Silver Laurel Leaf, after her Olympic success in 2018.
Dahlmeier’s athletic achievements are remarkable: she earned seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals at Biathlon World Championships, claimed 20 World Cup race victories, and won the overall World Cup during the 2016–17 season. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, she captured two gold medals in the sprint and pursuit events and a bronze in the individual race.
She retired from professional biathlon in 2019 at just 25 years old. Since then, she had become a certified mountain and ski guide and volunteered with the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue team in her hometown in the German Alps.
Every year, hundreds of climbers from around the world attempt challenging peaks in northern Pakistan, where weather conditions are notoriously unpredictable. Fatal accidents due to avalanches, falling rocks, and sudden storms are not uncommon. In recent days, the region has also been experiencing unusually heavy seasonal rains, which have led to flash floods and landslides. At least 20 local tourists remain missing after floodwaters swept through the Chilas area last week.
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