The accident occurred on 28/7 while Dahlmeier and her climbing partner, Marina Eva, were ascending the 6,069-meter Mount Laila in the Karakoram range. At an altitude of approximately 5,700 meters, they were caught in a sudden rockfall. Dahlmeier sustained severe injuries and was trapped at the scene, while Eva managed to send a distress signal and was brought back to base camp a day later.
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Laura Dahlmeier competes at the Biathlon World Cup in Canada in 2019. Photo: AP |
Laura Dahlmeier competes at the Biathlon World Cup in Canada in 2019. Photo: AP
Severe weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, and poor visibility, prevented Pakistani military helicopters from reaching the accident site for two consecutive days. Rescue efforts were postponed until the morning of 30/7, when two teams comprising four international climbers and two support personnel set out to search for Dahlmeier.
Dahlmeier's management confirmed her death to German media. According to reports, before the climb, Dahlmeier had instructed that in the event of a serious accident, she did not want anyone to risk their lives to rescue her or recover her body from the mountain.
"The family extends its deepest gratitude to the rescue team, especially the local support staff," her management wrote in a statement. "They did everything they could to reach and assist."
According to the statement from her management, Dahlmeier and her friends arrived in northern Pakistan in late June. On 8/7, she successfully summited the 6,200-meter Great Trango Tower, one of the most challenging peaks in the world. "Laura was an experienced climber and always aware of the risks," her representative said.
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Laura Dahlmeier and her former boyfriend Robert Johann Grasegger. Photo: Instagram / laura_dahlmeier |
Laura Dahlmeier and her former boyfriend Robert Johann Grasegger. Photo: Instagram / laura_dahlmeier
Dahlmeier's former boyfriend, Robert Johann Grasegger, also died in an avalanche in Patagonia, Argentina, in 1/2022 while climbing with her and a friend. He was buried by wet snow and did not survive.
In a report on ZDF, Dahlmeier shared that the incident had profoundly affected her: the loss of her beloved companion on their journey of exploring nature made her more aware of the risks and the importance of safety awareness while climbing.
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Laura Dahlmeier, winner of three Olympic medals at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, has died at 31. Photo: EPA |
Laura Dahlmeier, winner of three Olympic medals at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, has died at 31. Photo: EPA
Born on 19/8/1993 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Dahlmeier was one of Germany's most successful biathletes of the 21st century. Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
Dahlmeier won two gold medals and a bronze medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, along with seven world championships, and was named German Sportswoman of the Year in 2017. She surprised the sporting world by announcing her retirement in 5/2019, at the age of 25, to pursue her passion for nature and outdoor sports.
After retiring from biathlon, Dahlmeier became a climbing and skiing guide in her hometown of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Bavarian Alps. She undertook numerous challenging climbs, including Korzhenevskaya Peak (7,100 meters, Tajikistan), Ama Dablam (6,800 meters, Nepal), and Great Trango Tower (6,200 meters, Pakistan).
Compiled by Hong Duy
