The daredevil adventurer known as "The Spider-Man of Yemen" has tragically died after falling into a volcanic crater during an attempt to scale its sheer rock faces without safety gear earlier this week, authorities have confirmed.
Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, 30, was climbing the precipitous walls of the Hardah Dam volcanic crater in Yemen’s southern Dhale province on Friday when he lost his footing.
He subsequently plunged 120 metres (393 feet) into the crater, according to the Civil Defense Authority, which released a brief video of the incident.
The 10-second footage shows Antar ascending a rocky cliff, marked with Arabic writing in white, without any protective equipment. He is seen gripping the cliff with his right hand, his left arm raised, before his right hand appears to slip, leading to his fatal fall.
Specialist rescue teams, including divers, were deployed to recover Antar’s body. It was eventually located by divers 30 metres (100 feet) below the water’s surface after a four-hour operation.
Authorities described the search as "complex" due to the challenging, steep, and rocky terrain.
The Hardah Dam, also known as the Haradhat Damt, is a distinctive volcanic crater near the city of Damt in Yemen’s southern Dahle province. A regional landmark, it features steep rocky walls and a hot, sulphurous lake at its base.
Antar had garnered significant attention on social media platforms, where he regularly shared videos of his high-risk ascents across Yemen’s most rugged landscapes.
His viral social media content often depicted him performing dangerous feats, such as hanging from cliff edges by his bare hands, his legs dangling precariously without the use of any safety equipment.
Following the tragedy, the Civil Defense Authority has urged climbers and adventure sports enthusiasts to adhere strictly to safety protocols and to use "appropriate protective gear to avert similar incidents."
