Laura Dahlmeier’s body has not yet been recovered after her fatal alpine accident in Pakistan. Authorities are now explaining how things will proceed.
Laura Dahlmeier’s body will remain at the accident site for the time being. As Pakistani authorities confirmed to dpa, there will be no new recovery attempt for the foreseeable future.
This was announced by Faizullah Faraq, the spokesman for the responsible provincial government of Gilgit-Baltistan, to the agency. This respects the wish of the former biathlon queen that no attempts should be made if the lives of other people would be endangered.
Recovery of Dahlmeier? How it will proceed
A recovery of Dahlmeier, who died in an accident on Monday, has not been possible due to the ongoing danger of rockfalls and, in coordination with the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), should not be attempted for the time being, confirmed the Olympic champion’s management.
“The relatives will observe the situation at Laila Peak in consultation with the local authorities and reserve the right to arrange a recovery at a later date,” Dahlmeier’s representation announced.
Huber reports on failed rescue attempt
The Bavarian alpinist Thomas Huber, who was part of the rescue team, confirmed that Dahlmeier’s body is in difficult terrain and a recovery would only have been possible under high risk for those involved. “As experienced mountaineers, we decided not to go,” Huber said. They wanted to respect Dahlmeier’s wish.
She was declared dead on Wednesday. Already in the statement about her accident, the management emphasized: “It was Laura Dahlmeier’s explicit and written will that in a case like this, no one should risk their life to recover her.”
Huber reported that the rescue team already knew during the overflight with the helicopter and the sighting of the 31-year-old that she had not survived.
“For the world, she was a successful athlete, for us a good friend,” said Huber.