Laura Dahlmeier, a celebrated German biathlete, tragically lost her life in a climbing accident on a mountain in Pakistan, as confirmed by a regional government spokesperson.
The Olympic champion was climbing Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range on July 28 when she was hit by falling rocks. She was accompanied by a partner who survived the incident.
Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, stated that rescuers confirmed Dahlmeier’s death on July 30. However, due to adverse weather conditions, they were unable to retrieve her body.
Faraq mentioned that the decision to recover her body would be made in accordance with her family’s wishes.
A post on Dahlmeier’s Instagram highlighted her desire that no one should risk their life to retrieve her body if an accident occurred.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his sympathies to Dahlmeier’s family, noting her as ‘an exceptional sportswoman’. He recalled presenting her with Germany’s Silver Laurel Leaf, the highest accolade in German sport, following her first Olympic gold in 2018.
President Steinmeier noted, “Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair co-existence across borders.”
A rescue mission was initiated on Monday after Dahlmeier’s climbing partner, Marina Eva, sent a distress signal. Eva managed to reach the base camp with the help of rescuers the following day.
The statement on Dahlmeier’s Instagram noted that Eva attempted to help Dahlmeier for several hours, but the terrain and ongoing rockfall made it impossible.
“Her partner eventually had to leave the danger zone when no signs of life could be heard,” the statement added.
Dahlmeier’s wish was for no one to endanger themselves to recover her body under such circumstances, and the statement requested this wish be honored.
The family expressed gratitude to the rescue team and other climbers who tried their best to facilitate the rescue.
In Pakistan, when foreign climbers die, their bodies are usually retrieved upon family requests. However, should the family opt against recovery, the remains are typically left at the location of death.
Reports from Dahlmeier’s management team in Germany indicated she was injured at around 5,700 meters altitude at noon on Monday.
Since late June, she had been exploring the region with friends, having already summited the 6,287-meter Great Trango Tower on July 8. Laila Peak was the second climb of her expedition.
Faraq noted that military helicopters were ready to assist with the rescue but were unable to operate due to poor weather. Efforts by climbers, including two Americans, to replicate Dahlmeier’s ascent were also underway to contribute to the rescue.
Dahlmeier’s illustrious career includes seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals at the Biathlon World Championships, in addition to 20 World Cup race victories and the overall World Cup title for the 2016-17 season.
She secured gold in the sprint and pursuit events at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018 and won bronze in the individual competition.
Originating from Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the German Alps, Dahlmeier pursued mountaineering after her biathlon retirement in 2019 at the age of 25. By 2023, she was a state-certified mountain and ski guide and was an active volunteer with the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue team.
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