Tragic mountain mishap claims the life of ex-biathlete, Laura Dahlmeier
Tragedy on Laila Peak: Biathlon Champion Laura Dahlmeier Dies During Mountaineering Expedition
In a heartbreaking turn of events, biathlon Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier has lost her life while mountaineering in Pakistan's Karakoram range. The 31-year-old athlete, who retired from professional biathlon in 2019, had devoted herself to her passion for the mountains.
According to the latest reports, Dahlmeier was hit by rockfall at an altitude of 5,700 meters on Monday. Despite the efforts of her rope partner and a rescue team that included four experienced mountaineers and two porters, including Bavarian extreme climber Thomas Huber, no signs of life were detected during a helicopter flyover of the accident site.
Pakistani authorities have confirmed Dahlmeier's death, and it is assumed that she died instantly based on the findings from the helicopter flyover and the rope partner's description. Dahlmeier's management stated that she had made the explicit wish not to risk anyone's life in a rescue attempt should she perish during mountaineering.
Laura Dahlmeier was an experienced and risk-aware mountaineer. Before her fatal accident, she had developed significant mountaineering experience alongside her illustrious biathlon career. In 2023, she became a certified mountain and ski guide and volunteered with the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue team.
Earlier in July 2025, Dahlmeier successfully climbed the Great Trango Tower (6,287m), a challenging peak in the same region, and was preparing to summit Laila Peak, a 6,069-meter-high mountain near the K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.
The German Ski Association remembered Dahlmeier as one of the most successful athletes in its history, an exceptional person, and a source of inspiration. Bayern's Minister President Markus Söder described her as the "queen of winter sports." DOSB President Thomas Weikert emphasized that Dahlmeier's legacy extended beyond medals.
Laura Dahlmeier's relatives also requested that her last wish be respected. They asked for privacy during this difficult time. The death of Dahlmeier has caused shock among many people, including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Our thoughts are with Laura Dahlmeier's family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. She will be remembered as a remarkable athlete and a passionate mountaineer who lived life to the fullest.
General news reports have emerged about a car-accident involving Thomas Huber, the Bavarian extreme climber who was part of the rescue team for the unfortunate mountaineering accident that led to the death of Laura Dahlmeier, a renowned sports figure, on Laila Peak. The incident occurred after Huber returned home from Pakistan.
Even though Laura Dahlmeier's tragic accident occurred on a mountaineering expedition, such accidents are relatively rare in the realm of general sports news. It serves as a reminder of the inherent risks that athletes face in their pursuit of extreme sports and the importance of learning from such incidents to improve safety measures.
