Tragedy in Pakistan! German Olympic gold medallist Laura Dahlmeier dies in accident
's Karakoram mountain range. The incident occurred on Monday when falling rocks struck her during an ascent with her climbing partner.
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Weather conditions have prevented rescuers from retrieving Dahlmeier's body, though they confirmed her death on Wednesday. The final decision about body recovery will depend on her family's wishes.
"Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders," German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated in his condolences to her parents.
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The rescue mission began Monday after receiving a distress signal from Dahlmeier's climbing partner, Marina Eva. Eva managed to reach base camp Tuesday with assistance from rescuers.
Her partner attempted rescue efforts for several hours but faced challenges due to difficult terrain and continuous rockfall. The statement on Dahlmeier's Instagram page indicated that her partner descended after detecting no signs of life.
"Her partner, who could no longer hear any signs of life, eventually decided to leave the danger zone and resume her descent," according to the Instagram statement.
Dahlmeier had explicitly stated her wish that no one should risk their life to recover her body in such circumstances. Her family has expressed gratitude to the rescue team and climbers who attempted to save her.
The incident occurred at approximately 5,700 meters altitude around noon on Monday, as confirmed by her German management team.
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Dahlmeier had been exploring the region with friends since late June. She had successfully climbed the 6,287-meter Great Trango Tower on July 8 before attempting Laila Peak.
Military helicopters remain on standby but cannot operate due to adverse weather conditions. Two American climbers are attempting to join the rescue operation via the same route.
Dahlmeier's athletic achievements include seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals at the Biathlon World Championships.
She also claimed 20 World Cup races and the overall World Cup in 2016-17.
Her Olympic success included gold medals in sprint and pursuit races at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, along with a bronze in individual competition.
Dahlmeier retired from biathlon in 2019 at age 25. Growing up in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the German Alps, she transitioned to mountaineering after her biathlon career.
She became a certified mountain and ski guide in 2023 and served as a volunteer with the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue team.
Northern Pakistan's mountains attract hundreds of climbers annually, with accidents common due to avalanches and sudden weather changes.
The region is currently experiencing above-normal seasonal rains, causing flash floods and landslides. Twenty Pakistani tourists have been reported missing near the northern district of Chilas due to recent flooding.
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