Germany’s two-time Olympic gold medalist in biathlon, Laura Dahlmeier, has tragically died at age 31 after being struck by falling rocks during a mountaineering expedition on Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range.
Her agency confirmed the news on Wednesday, describing the accident site as too dangerous for a successful recovery.
“Rescue efforts to recover her failed and the operation was suspended,” the statement said.
The incident occurred midday Monday at roughly 5,700 metres (18,700 feet). According to updates shared on Dahlmeier’s official social media accounts, her climbing partner managed to descend and alert authorities.
However, hazardous conditions, including persistent rockfall, strong winds, and dense cloud cover, made both ground and aerial rescues impossible.
“It was determined that a helicopter rescue is not possible,” said Areeb Ahmed Mukhtar, a senior official in Ghanche district.
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Shipton Trek & Tours Pakistan, which organised the expedition, stated that an international ground rescue team tried to reach the site but was forced to abandon the mission due to the ongoing risk of further rockslides.
Dahlmeier had been in northern Pakistan since late June and had recently completed a successful ascent of the Great Trango Tower, one of the world’s most challenging peaks. A passionate mountaineer, she was also a certified ski and mountain guide and actively involved in rescue operations.
Tributes have poured in following her death. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hailed her as “a role model for peaceful and fair coexistence across borders” and “an ambassador for our country.”
Dahlmeier achieved legendary status at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, where she became the first female biathlete to win both the sprint and pursuit events at a single Games. She retired in 2019 after claiming seven World Championship gold medals and later worked as a sports commentator for German broadcaster ZDF while continuing her alpine adventures.
Her passing is a heartbreaking loss to the global sporting and climbing communities.