‘Spider‑Man of Yemen’ dies after falling into volcanic crater

Mon Jun 15 2026 17:05:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Yemen’s daring climber, nicknamed ‘Spider‑Man’, tragically fell into a volcanic crater in the southwest.

Al‑Qaqa Ibn Antar, a popular free‑climber and social‑media star, lost his grip while scaling the steep walls of the Hardah Dam volcanic crater. Despite a daring rescue, his body was recovered from the 30‑metre depth of the 120‑metre wide crater. Yemen’s Civil Defence praised the water‑rescue team’s effort as one of the most complex missions in the country’s history.

‘Spider‑Man of Yemen’ dies after falling into volcanic crater

Al‑Qaqa Ibn Antar, a 30‑year‑old free‑climber with a large online following, fell into the Hardah Dam volcanic crater on Friday, according to Yemen’s Civil Defence Authority.

The climber scaled the near‑vertical walls of the crater without safety equipment and lost his grip, causing the fatal plunge into 30 metres beneath the water surface.

Video footage widely circulated on social media shows Antar ascending the steep faces before the fall, amplifying the tragedy’s impact.

The Civil Defence praised its water‑rescue team for a “highly dangerous” operation, describing it as one of the most complex field missions faced by the country.

Rescuers employed climbing gear to scale the crater’s side, winching a cage down to retrieve the body. The body was found inside the 120‑metre wide crater at a depth of 30 metres (98 feet).

The Hardah Dam in Dhale province is a well‑known natural landmark, also attracting tourists for its sulfur lake. The incident underscores the risks inherent in free‑climbing and the importance of safety protocols.