• Laura Dahlmeier’s representatives ‘confirmed’ her death on July 28; recovery efforts called off
• Her final wish was that no one should risk their life to recover her body

GILGIT: German mountaineer and Olympic gold medallist Laura Dahl­me­ier is presumed dead, following a rockfall during an ascent of Laila Peak (6,096 metres) in Gilgit-Baltistan. She was 31.

The accident occurred on Mon­day afternoon while she was climbing in alpine style alongside her partner, Marina Eva, also from Germany. On Tues­d­­ay, rescuers brought Ms Eva down to base camp from Camp 1. She was rep­orted to be in good health.

Ms Dahlmeier was str­uck by a falling rock at approximately 5,700 metr­­es. Accor­ding to sources at base camp, Ms Eva was positioned below her at the time. Although Ms Dahlmeier was able to communicate after the incident, Ms Eva could not reach her due to the tre­acherous terrain and bad weather.

A rescue operation was la­­un­ch­­ed, involving Pakistan Army Avia­tion helicopters and local high-altitude porters. However, adverse wea­ther and the dangerous landscape prevented helicopters from landing near the accident site.

The dangerous nature of the site made rescue efforts “impossible”, Ms Dahl­meier’s agency said in a statement issued on Wednesday, which confirmed her death, according to AFP. “Rescue efforts to recover her failed and the operation was suspended,” the statement continued.

Faizullah Faraq, a spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan governme­­nt, confirmed Ms Dahlmeier’s death.

In a statement issued on Wednes­day, Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) Vice President Karrar Haidri also confirmed her death. “Persistent adverse weather conditions had significantly hindered rescue operations in the days leading up to the announcement,” he said.

“Laura died doing what she loved most — pushing her limits in the high mountains,” Mr Haidri said. “Her strength, determination and passion have left an indelible mark on both the sporting and mountaineering communities.”

Her representatives told Germany’s Die Welt newspaper: “Laura Dahlmeier died on July 28 in a mountain accident on Laila Peak in Pakis­tan’s Karakoram range. A re­­c­overy operation was launched but ultimately called off on the evening of July 29.”

Her representatives added that Ms Dahlmeier most likely died instantly, while her moun­taineering partner was unhar­med and remained at the site.

“It was Laura Dahlmeier’s express and written will that in a case like this, no one should risk their life to recover her,” they said. “It was her wish to leave her body behind on the mountain in this case. This is also in line with the wishes of her relatives.”

Ms 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 Ms Dahlmeier “an ambassador for is country around the world (and) a role model for peaceful, joyful, and fair coexistence across borders.”

The German Olympic Spo­rts Confed­e­ration expressed deep sorrow at the news. “She was more than an Olympic champion — she was someone with heart, attitude and vis­i­on,” it said in a statement on X.

Ms Dahlmeier was also honoured by the premier of her home state, Markus Soeder.

“Laura Dahlmeier epitomised her native Bavaria in the best sense of the word: she was ambitious and successful, yet always remained humble and close to her homeland,” he said in a statement, according to Reuters.

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, AFP reported.

With input from Agencies

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2025