Laura Dahlmeier, the 31-year-old former German Olympic biathlon champion, was struck by a falling rock on Monday, July 28, 2025, while climbing at about 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) on Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. Her climbing partner, Marina Eva Krauss, was unharmed and immediately sent out a distress signal. Rescue teams, including international climbers led by German mountaineer Thomas Huber, along with Pakistani army personnel, have been attempting to reach Dahlmeier on the mountain despite difficult weather and terrain conditions.
A helicopter reached the site on July 29 but could not land due to poor weather and reported no recognizable signs of life on a flyover, indicating that Dahlmeier was at least seriously injured. Rescue efforts on the ground resumed on Wednesday, July 30, with two teams of international climbers and local porters ascending the peak in the challenging conditions. Her partner successfully descended to base camp with help from rescuers and is reported in good health.
The situation remains critical, and the rescue mission faces ongoing difficulty because of the remote and harsh alpine environment, as well as adverse weather hampering aerial support. Dahlmeier’s condition is grave, but reports mention she has access to oxygen and survivors of severe injuries in such conditions have endured for days.
This desperate search underscores the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering and highlights a coordinated international rescue effort involving experienced climbers and local authorities.
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