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News18
a day ago
- Climate
- News18
Olympic Champion Laura Dahlmeier Passes Away Following Mountaineering Accident In Pakistan
The 31-year-old is believed to have encountered rockfall around midday on Monday at an altitude of 5,700 metres on Laila Peak in the Karakoram range. Two-time Olympic biathlon gold medal winner Laura Dahlmeier was confirmed dead on Wednesday after being hit by falling rocks on a Pakistani mountain. The German's management company revealed that the dangerous nature of the site made rescue efforts impossible. The 31-year-old is believed to have encountered the accident around midday on Monday at an altitude of 5,700 metres on Laila Peak in the Karakoram range. 'Rescue efforts to recover her failed and the operation was suspended," the statement from her management company read. 'Laura's energy and passion for life touched so many around the world," the International Biathlon Union reacted in a statement. 'Her legacy, both within biathlon and beyond, will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire countless athletes and adventurers for generations to come," the union added. Czech champion Gabriela Soukalova, Dahlmeier's friend and rival, took to social media to share her dismay with a post that read, 'This is an enormous shock. Laura will always remain in my heart." 'It was determined that a helicopter rescue is not possible," Areeb Ahmed Mukhtar, a senior local official in Ghanche district said. 'The conditions at the altitude where she was injured are extremely challenging," he added. Shipton Trek & Tours Pakistan, which organized the expedition, confirmed the ground rescue by a team of four comprising three Americans and one German mountaineer. Dahlmeier was struck by falling rocks, her team reported on Tuesday, noting that no one had been able to reach her due to the risk of further rockfalls and the site's remote location. Muhammad Ali, a local disaster management official, disclosed that the weather conditions have been extremely severe in the region over the past week, with rain, strong winds, and thick clouds. Dahlmeier, an experienced mountaineer, had been in the region since the end of June and had already ascended the Great Trango Tower. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described Dahlmeier as 'an ambassador for our country around the world and a role model for peaceful, joyful, and fair coexistence across borders," following the incident. She won seven world championship gold medals, and at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, she became the first woman biathlete to win both the sprint and the pursuit at the same Games. Dahlmeier retired from professional competition in 2019 at the age of 25 and became a commentator on biathlon events for German broadcaster ZDF, while also taking up mountaineering. She was a certified mountain and ski guide and an active member of the mountain rescue team, according to her team. Dahlmeier's management company stated that it had been her express and written wish that in a situation like this, no one should risk their life to rescue her, which was also in line with the wishes of her relatives, who requested that Laura's last wish be respected. 'Her wish was to leave her body on the mountain in such a case," the company said. view comments Location : Germany First Published: July 31, 2025, 12:07 IST News sports Olympic Champion Laura Dahlmeier Passes Away Following Mountaineering Accident In Pakistan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
German two-time Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier dies in climbing accident in Pakistan
Germany's celebrated Olympic biathlon champion, Laura Dahlmeier, has died following a tragic mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in the Karakoram range. The 30-year-old Olympic gold medalist was struck by falling rocks on Monday while climbing the 6,096-metre-high peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, local authorities confirmed. The former biathlon champion Dahlmeier died in the high mountains of Pakistan her agent said on July 30, 2025. (AFP) Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, said that rescuers had confirmed Dahlmeier's death and were working to retrieve her body. The body will be brought to the city of Skardu, Faraq said on Wednesday, adding that a rescue team remains stationed at the site. Dahlmeier was scaling the peak with her climbing partner, Marina Eva, who survived the accident and managed to descend to base camp with the help of rescuers on Tuesday. A distress signal from Eva had triggered the operation on Monday. According to Dahlmeier's management team in Germany, the accident occurred at around 5,700 metres when a rockfall caused her fatal injuries. German broadcaster ZDF reported she suffered serious wounds due to the incident. Tributes poured in from across Germany, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressing deep sorrow. In a message to her family, he wrote, 'Laura Dahlmeier was an exceptional sportswoman.' He recalled personally presenting her with the Silver Laurel Leaf, Germany's highest sporting honour, after she claimed her first Olympic gold in 2018. 'She was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders,' Steinmeier said. A celebrated career Dahlmeier, who retired from biathlon in 2019, was a two-time Olympic medalist and a seven-time world champion. After stepping away from the sport, she pursued her passion for mountaineering, frequently sharing her alpine adventures and environmental advocacy. Laila Peak, with its needle-like summit, is considered one of the more technically demanding climbs in the Karakoram. Though it draws experienced alpinists from around the world, its steep face and unpredictable terrain make it perilous. Mountain accidents are not uncommon in the region, where climbers face sudden weather shifts, avalanches, and falling debris. This summer, above-average monsoon rains have further destabilised the terrain. In nearby Chilas, at least 20 Pakistani tourists have been reported missing after floodwaters swept through the area last week.
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Pakistani rescuers' quest for injured German climber continues
A German mountaineer and Olympic gold medallist who was injured while attempting to scale a peak in the country's north is stranded on the mountain and search teams were forced to abort efforts to reach her after sunset, officials said. Laura Dahlmeier, who also won the 2017 women's biathlon World Cup, was seriously injured on Monday while attempting to scale Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. Another rescue attempt was underway with the help of helicopters, which was planned for after dawn today, according to Faizullah Faraq, a spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan regional government. He could not provide further details on Dahlmeier's condition. Dahlmeier, 31, and her rope partner, Marina Eva, were struck by falling rocks during their ascent, Faraq said. Eva managed to descend to base camp with help from rescuers yesterday. In Germany, Dahlmeier's management told the broadcaster ZDF that she was seriously injured in the rockfall at an altitude of about 5,700m around noon on Monday. 'Due to the remoteness of the area, a helicopter was only able to reach the site of the accident on the morning of July 29,' the statement said, expressing hope that news of her rescue would follow soon. The German news agency dpa said Dahlmeier and Eva were climbing in alpine style when the accident occurred. Karrar Haidri, vice-president of the Pakistan Alpine Club, said that Dahlmeier sustained 'serious injuries' and that Pakistani military helicopters were helping in coordinated rescue efforts, which started on Monday. 'Efforts to evacuate Dahlmeier by air will continue,' Haidri said. Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year, and accidents are common because of avalanches. Pakistan's scenic north has also been struck with flash floods and landslides following above normal seasonal rains. At least 20 tourists are still missing after they were swept away by floodwaters last week near the northern Chilas district. — AP
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tragedy as double Olympic champion killed in accident aged 31
Two-time Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has tragically passed away at 31 following a mountaineering accident, her management team confirmed. The German sportswoman, who clinched two golds at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, was involved in a rockfall in the Karakoram mountains of Pakistan on Monday. After Dahlmeier's climbing partner Marina Eva sent a distress call, a challenging search and rescue operation commenced. The incident occurred at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres on Laila Peak, with the remote location delaying the arrival of the rescue helicopter until Tuesday morning. The search by helicopter was hindered by poor weather, prompting the mobilisation of expert climbers from Germany and the USA, alongside assistance from the Pakistani army, as the mission extended into Wednesday. However, Dahlmeier's management delivered the sombre news to ZDF: "Based on the findings from the helicopter overflight and the rope partner's description of the severity of her injuries, it can be assumed that Laura Dahlmeier died immediately." They also stated that "Recovering the body is too risky for the rescue workers under the current difficult conditions with rockfall and a change in the weather on Laila Peak and is not feasible.", reports the Express. Laura Dahlmeier won double biathlon gold in Pyeongchang (Image: Getty) "Her wish was to leave her body on the mountain in this case. This is also in the interest of her relatives, who also expressly request that Laura's final wishes be respected. "The family extends its sincere thanks to the rescue team, especially the mountaineers who came to the scene to help. They did their very best to facilitate a rescue and reach the victim." Reports indicate that Dahlmeier's 'express and written will' stipulated that nobody should endanger their lives attempting to rescue her. She abandoned professional biathlon to pursue her mountaineering passion in 2019 - the year following her gold medal victories in both sprint and pursuit biathlon disciplines at Pyeongchang, alongside a bronze in the individual competition. Dahlmeier held qualifications as a mountain guide and served actively within the mountain rescue service, according to sources. Her climbing companion is reportedly 'unharmed and receiving on-site care' following their escort back to base camp. The former Winter Olympic champion's management team stated: "We bid farewell to a wonderful person. Laura enriched our lives and the lives of many with her warm and straightforward manner. "She showed us that it's worth standing up for your own dreams and goals and always staying true to yourself. We are deeply grateful, dear Laura, that we were allowed to share in your life. Our shared memories give us strength and courage to continue on our path."
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Olympic biathlon champion confirmed dead after accident
KHAPLU: Germany's two-time Olympic biathlon gold medallist Laura Dahlmeier was confirmed dead aged 31 on Wednesday after being hit by falling rocks on a Pakistani mountain. The dangerous nature of the site made rescue efforts 'impossible', her agency said in a statement issued on Wednesday, which confirmed her death. 'Rescue efforts to recover her failed and the operation was suspended,' the statement continued. The accident happened around midday on Monday at an altitude of 5,700 metres (18,700 feet) on Laila Peak in the Karakoram range, according to a statement from her team on her official social media pages. Dahlmeier's climbing partner was able to sound the alarm after reaching safety. 'It was determined that a helicopter rescue is not possible,' Areeb Ahmed Mukhtar, a senior local official in Ghanche district, where the more than 6,000 metre mountain is located, told AFP earlier on Wednesday. 'The conditions at the altitude where she was injured are extremely challenging,' he added. Shipton Trek & Tours Pakistan, which organized the expedition, confirmed the ground rescue by a team of four that includes three Americans and a German mountaineer. Dahlmeier was 'hit by falling rocks,' her team said on Tuesday, adding no one had yet been able to reach her due to the danger of further rockfalls and the site's 'remoteness'. Muhammad Ali, a local disaster management official, told AFP that weather conditions have been 'extremely harsh' in the region for the past week, with rain, strong winds and thick clouds. Dahlmeier, an experienced mountaineer, had been in the region since the end of June and had already ascended the Great Trango Tower. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued a statement on Wednesday calling Dahlmeier 'an ambassador for our country around the world (and) a role model for peaceful, joyful, and fair coexistence across borders.' She won seven world championship gold medals, and at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang she became the first female biathlete to win both the sprint and the pursuit at the same Games. Dahlmeier retired from professional competition in 2019 at the age of 25. She went on to become a commentator on biathlon events for German broadcaster ZDF, and also took up mountaineering. She was a certified mountain and ski guide and an active member of the mountain rescue, according to her team. — AFP
