A renowned Yemeni adventurer, widely recognized on social media as the “Spider-Man of Yemen,” has died after falling into a volcanic crater during a high-risk climb, according to local authorities.
Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, 30, was ascending the precipitous walls of the Hardah Dam volcanic crater in Yemen’s southern Dhale province when he lost his hold. The Yemen Civil Defense Authority confirmed that Antar was climbing without any safety equipment at the time of the accident.
Following the fall, a specialized rescue team comprising divers and water rescue experts was dispatched to the site. Authorities reported that Antar’s body was discovered approximately 30 meters beneath the surface of the crater’s lake. The complex recovery operation took approximately four hours to complete.
Footage released by the Civil Defense Authority depicts rescuers utilizing ropes and a metal rescue cage to descend into the crater and retrieve the body.
Antar had garnered a significant online following by sharing videos of himself scaling cliffs and navigating Yemen’s rugged mountain landscapes, frequently eschewing protective gear. His daring exploits earned him the “Spider-Man of Yemen” moniker and brought widespread attention to his activities across various social media platforms.
In the wake of the tragedy, Yemen’s Civil Defense Authority issued a warning to climbers and adventure enthusiasts, urging them to adhere to strict safety protocols and utilize professional protective equipment to prevent similar fatalities.
