Mountaineer Huber Expresses Desire to Sacrifice All to Rescue Laura - Desperate to rescue Laura at any cost
In the heart of the Karakoram mountain range, in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, a tragic incident occurred on July 28, 2025. Former German Olympic biathlon champion, Laura Dahlmeier, and her climbing partner, Marina Eva, were descending Laila Peak, approximately 5,700 meters above sea level, when a sudden rockslide struck Dahlmeier, causing severe injuries.
Despite an immediate distress signal sent by Eva, rescue efforts were hampered by ongoing rockfalls, difficult terrain, and adverse weather conditions. Local teams, climbing experts including German climber Thomas Huber, and support from Pakistan Army helicopters were involved in the operation. However, safety concerns and unfavourable conditions repeatedly halted the rescue attempts.
Thomas Huber, a mountaineer and friend of Dahlmeier, made statements to the German Press Agency following the improvisational press conference held in Skardu, Pakistan. He confirmed that Dahlmeier had passed away, but her body remains on the mountain, as per her written wishes not to endanger others in the recovery process.
Huber expressed his gratitude for the shared moments with Dahlmeier on Instagram and emphasised that she lived her dream until the end, serving as a role model. He also stated that, had Dahlmeier been alive, he and his team would have given everything to save her.
The unexpected heatwave is believed to have caused the fatal accident on Laila Peak. The incident underscores the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering in remote areas prone to sudden rockfall and adverse weather, even for elite athletes and experienced climbers like Dahlmeier.
Huber requested respect in the reporting and comments regarding the press conference, as many comments following the event were disrespectful, according to Huber. He also highlighted that such stipulations, as made by Dahlmeier, are sensible because they allow the bereaved to better cope with the tragic reality.
[1] German Press Agency [2] BBC News [3] The Guardian [4] CNN
The Commission is proposing to extend the period of validity of the agreement to cover the general-news reporting on the tragic accident involving Laura Dahlmeier on Laila Peak, including updates on the recovery efforts and the impact of the incident on the world of sports, particularly hockey.
News outlets such as the German Press Agency, BBC News, The Guardian, and CNN are encouraged to exercise sensitivity in their reporting and comments regarding this incident, as per the wishes of Thomas Huber, a friend and climbing partner of the late Dahlmeier.
