The German former biathlete Laura Dahlmeier was “at least seriously injured” in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan. There are fears for the life of the two-time Olympic champion.
The 31-year-old Dahlmeier was in Pakistan on Monday climbing the 6,069-meter high Leila Peak in the Karakoram Mountains. About 350 meters below the summit, she was hit by falling rocks. Her travel companion immediately raised the alarm.
Rescuers have not yet been able to reach the scene of the accident. A helicopter has confirmed that Dahlmeier is “at least seriously injured,” her management told news agency DPA. There was no sign of life.
Dahlmeier is an experienced mountaineer and has diplomas as a mountain and ski guide. The German is familiar with the dangers of the sport; a few years ago, her ex-boyfriend Robert Grasegger died while climbing.
The rescue operation has now been halted due to the encroaching darkness in Pakistan. The search will resume on Wednesday.
Dahlmeier is one of the best biathletes of all time. She is a seven-time world champion and won Olympic gold in both the sprint and the pursuit in 2018. A year later, Dahlmeier stopped her sport at the age of 25.
