Companion reveals new tragic details about Laura Dahlmeier’s death

Marina Krauss, the climbing partner who was with Laura Dahlmeier during the fatal accident in Pakistan, has spoken publicly about the tragedy.

According to Krauss, the two set out for the summit of Laila Peak in the dark early hours of July 28. As they climbed, they noticed the snow softening and the risk of both snow slides and rockfall increasing. They decided to turn back.

The accident occurred at an abseil point. Krauss descended first, with Dahlmeier following. At that moment, large rocks broke loose and struck the former Olympic biathlete. Krauss, positioned out of the direct rockfall line, then saw Dahlmeier hanging motionless in the rope roughly 15 meters above her. Attempts to make contact failed. Krauss also saw that Dahlmeier’s helmet had been shattered and that she had suffered a severe head injury.

Efforts to lower Dahlmeier were unsuccessful, and Krauss herself was in danger of being hit by falling stones. She managed to place an emergency call and inform Dahlmeier’s family. Despite subsequent rescue attempts, Dahlmeier’s life could not be saved, and her body could not be recovered, as the family later confirmed.

The death of the 31‑year‑old former top biathlete at Laila Peak at the end of July caused widespread shock in the winter sports community. Krauss’s account clarifies how the situation deteriorated quickly despite the decision to retreat, and why recovery operations proved impossible in the hazardous terrain.