Two-time Olympic biathlon gold medallist Laura Dahlmeier of Germany has suffered a serious mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains, according to the German Press Agency.

“Laura Dahlmeier was climbing in with her mountaineering partner on 28 July when she was hit by a falling rock,” the statement said. “The accident occurred around noon local time at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres. Her partner immediately called emergency services, and a rescue operation was launched without delay.”

According to German media reports, top German climber Thomas Huber is currently on site and is helping coordinate the rescue effort. Dahlmeier’s rope partner has already been brought to safety and is descending the mountain with other climbers. However, rescuers have so far been unable to reach Dahlmeier directly because of the ongoing danger of rockfall.

The 31-year-old has been in the Karakoram region since late June and had already successfully climbed the Great Trango Tower (6,287 m) earlier in July. Laila Peak (6,096 m) was her second planned summit.

An international rescue team is currently coordinating the operation, supported by experienced mountaineers in the area. The search had to be suspended at nightfall on Tuesday and is expected to resume early morning tomorrow.

Dahlmeier, a state-certified mountain and ski guide and active member of the mountain rescue service, is considered a highly experienced and cautious mountaineer.

She is Germany’s most successful biathlete of the past decade, winning two Olympic gold medals and one bronze at PyeongChang 2018. She also collected 15 medals, including seven gold, at the World Championships and claimed the overall Biathlon World Cup title in the 2016/17 season.