'Spider-Man of Yemen' Dies After Falling Into Volcano Crater While Climbing Without Safety Gear

A daredevil adventurer, widely known as the 'Spider-Man of Yemen,' has died after a fatal fall into a volcanic crater. Al Qaqa Ibn Antar, 30, was attempting to scale the steep, vertical rock faces of the Hardah Dam volcanic crater in the southern Dhale province without safety equipment when he lost his footing.

Authorities confirmed Antar's death following the incident on Friday. The Civil Defence Authority released a short video capturing the perilous moment of his fall into the 120-meter (393-foot) deep crater. The footage shows Antar climbing the rocky cliff, where names had been inscribed in white chalk across the rock face.

Antar had gained significant recognition for his daring feats, frequently sharing videos of himself climbing challenging cliffs and volcanic formations. His signature style involved ascending these natural structures without any protective gear, often leaving his mark with chalk inscriptions at high points. The video depicts him holding onto the cliff before his grip failed, leading to the tragic fall.

“

The 10-second video shows Antar climbing a rocky cliff without any safety equipment. On the cliff he is scaling names in Arabic have been written in white across the rocky wall. He is then seen holding the cliff with his right hand, with his left hand in the air, before he appears to lose his right grip and falls.