In brief
Al‑Qaqa Ibn Antar, a popular free‑climber dubbed the ‘Spider‑Man of Yemen’, met a tragic end when he fell into the Hardah Dam volcanic crater on Friday. The 30‑year‑old had been scaling the crater’s steep walls without safety gear. Yemeni Civil Defence Authority released footage of rescuers retrieving his body from the bottom of a 120‑meter wide crater, describing the operation as highly dangerous. The incident highlights the risks of unregulated adventure sports in remote locations.
Fatal fall of Yemen’s daring free‑climber
Al‑Qaqa Ibn Antar, a 30‑year‑old free‑climber known online as the "Spider‑Man of Yemen", died after falling into the Hardah Dam volcanic crater on Friday. He had been attempting to scale the crater’s steep faces without any safety equipment. Video footage showing the moment of the fall has circulated widely on social media.
Rescue mission described as highly dangerous
The Yemen Civil Defence Authority released footage of rescuers extracting Antar’s body from the crater’s bottom. Divers found his remains 30 m (98 ft) below the water surface inside a 120‑meter wide crater. The operation involved climbing equipment and a winch to lower a cage, which the rescue team used to recover the body.
Recognition for the rescue team
The authority praised the water‑rescue team’s "heroic efforts" and promoted it after the successful retrieval. The protection crew demonstrated exceptional field capabilities in a harsh environment, including high temperatures and rugged terrain.
The Hardah Dam – a tourist hotspot
Hardah Dam, located in Dhale province, has become a popular tourist attraction due to its volcanic crater and a sulfur‑rich lake. The location can attract adventure seekers, but the dangerous conditions have led to incidents such as this.
