German Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has been reported missing following a serious mountaineering accident in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range.
The 31-year-old was caught in a rockfall while climbing Laila Peak, located at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres, on Monday, 28 July. According to her management, the accident occurred around midday as she ascended the peak with a climbing partner.
Her companion immediately alerted emergency services, triggering a rescue operation. However, adverse weather conditions on Tuesday forced helicopter support to be called off, slowing efforts to reach the area.
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing as of Wednesday, with teams from Germany and the United States joining forces on the ground. The Pakistan army is also involved in the search.
“She is missing. We are searching. No one knows where she is,” said Faizullah Faraq, a spokesperson for the provincial government.
Dahlmeier is an experienced mountaineer as well as one of Germany’s most decorated winter athletes. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, she made history by becoming the first woman to win both the sprint and pursuit biathlon events at the same Games.
She also took home a bronze medal, adding to her remarkable tally of 15 World Championship medals, including seven golds, before retiring from professional sport in 2019 at the age of 25.
