Athletic champion Laura Dahlmeier sustains severe injuries and becomes trapped in the mountains following a startling rockslide
Laura Dahlmeier, a two-time gold medalist at the 2018 Winter Olympics, was seriously injured in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan on Monday. The accident occurred at an altitude of approximately 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) in the Karakorum mountains in northern Pakistan.
According to reports by German broadcaster ZDF and Reuters, Dahlmeier was climbing with her mountaineering partner when she was caught in a rockfall. Due to the remoteness of the area, a helicopter was only able to reach the site of the accident on the morning of July 29.
Dahlmeier's management team confirmed that her partner immediately called emergency services after the accident, and a rescue operation began immediately. However, as of Tuesday morning, a rescue team of emergency responders has been unable to reach Dahlmeier. No signs of life were detected in a helicopter flight over the site on Tuesday morning.
The rescue mission for Laura Dahlmeier was temporarily suspended on the evening of July 29 due to darkness and was planned to resume the next morning; however, as of the morning of July 30, it had not yet resumed because of strong winds and poor visibility conditions.
Throughout her career, Dahlmeier won 15 gold medals at the World Championships and became the first female biathlete to win a sprint and pursuit double at the same Olympics. She won two gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, in the 7.5km sprint and 10km pursuit.
Following her retirement from biathlon competition in 2019 at the age of 25, Dahlmeier co-authored a German children's book titled "The Climate Gang: Laura Dahlmeier and friends working for nature." She also served as a commentator for ZDF during the 2019-20 Biathlon World Cup season.
Faizullah Faraq, a spokesperson for the Pakistan government, stated that Dahlmeier was taken away by locals from the landslide site. The rescue operation for Dahlmeier continues, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Our thoughts are with Laura Dahlmeier and her family during this difficult time.
