German Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier died after a mountaineering accident in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range on July 28, her management team and local government officials confirmed Wednesday. The 31-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist was struck by falling rocks while climbing Laila Peak at approximately 18,700 feet around noon local time Monday.
Dahlmeier’s climbing partner, Marina Eva Krauss, immediately issued a distress call after witnessing the incident, launching a massive rescue operation. Krauss, who remained uninjured, attempted to reach Dahlmeier for several hours but was forced to leave the danger zone due to continued rockfall and lack of response from her partner. Krauss managed to descend to base camp Tuesday with assistance from rescuers.
The rescue operation faced significant challenges due to low visibility, adverse weather conditions, and the remote location of the accident site. Poor weather prevented rescue helicopters from reaching the scene until Tuesday morning, when they were only able to observe from a distance. Rescuers confirmed Dahlmeier’s death Wednesday but could not retrieve her body due to dangerous conditions.
Faizullah Faraq, spokesman for the regional Gilgit-Baltistan government, stated, “Based on findings from the helicopter flyover and the rope partner’s account of the severity of the injuries, it must be assumed that Laura Dahlmeier died instantly.” Her management team indicated that she most likely died immediately upon impact.
Recovery efforts were ultimately abandoned Thursday due to extremely dangerous conditions at the accident site. Dahlmeier had previously expressed her wish that no one should risk their life to recover her body in the event of a mountaineering accident. Several colleagues confirmed this was her documented preference, and her family thanked the rescue teams for their efforts while respecting her wishes.
Dahlmeier made Olympic history at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, becoming the first female biathlete to win both sprint and pursuit gold medals at the same Olympic Games. She also earned a bronze medal in the individual event at those Games. Her Olympic success came after placing 13th in the individual event at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, her first Olympic appearance.
Throughout her career, Dahlmeier accumulated seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals at the Biathlon World Championships. She won 20 World Cup races and claimed the overall World Cup title during the 2016-17 season. Dahlmeier made her professional debut at the IBU World Cup during the 2012-13 season at age 19.
In a surprise decision, Dahlmeier retired from competitive biathlon in May 2019 at age 25, citing diminished passion for professional sports. She indicated that after an intense season with numerous highs and lows, she no longer felt the complete dedication required for elite competition.
Following her retirement, Dahlmeier transitioned to mountaineering and became a state-certified mountain and ski guide in 2023. She volunteered with the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue team and had been in the Gilgit-Baltistan region since late June. Before the fatal accident, she had successfully climbed the Great Trango Tower.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier offered condolences to Dahlmeier’s parents, describing her as an exceptional sportswoman. He recalled presenting her with the Silver Laurel Leaf, Germany’s highest sporting honor, shortly after her first Olympic gold medal in 2018. Steinmeier noted that Dahlmeier served as an ambassador for Germany and a role model for peaceful coexistence across borders.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation expressed profound sorrow at the news, with President Thomas Weikert describing Dahlmeier as a role model and inspiration. Markus Soeder, premier of Bavaria, honored the Garmisch-Partenkirchen native, stating she epitomized her homeland through ambition and success while remaining humble and connected to her roots.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry emphasized Dahlmeier’s historic achievements, noting she would be remembered forever for her groundbreaking Olympic performance. The International Biathlon Union praised her energy and passion, indicating her legacy would continue inspiring athletes and adventurers for generations.
Mountaineering accidents are common in northern Pakistan, where hundreds of climbers attempt to scale peaks annually. The region experiences frequent avalanches and sudden weather changes, compounded by above-normal seasonal rains that trigger flash floods and landslides. Since the previous week, at least 20 Pakistani tourists have been reported missing after floodwaters swept them away near Chilas.