Yemen ‘Spider‑Man’ Free‑Climber Dies After Falling Into Volcanic Crater

Mon Jun 15 2026 18:25:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A popular free‑climber known as the Spider‑Man of Yemen fell into the Hardah Dam volcanic crater, a tragic reminder of the risks of adventure sports in fragile environments.

Al‑Qaqa Ibn Antar, a 30‑year‑old free climber celebrated on social media, lost his life after falling into a volcanic crater in Yemen’s southwest. The incident occurred while he climbed the steep walls of Hardah Dam without safety gear. Yemen’s Civil Defence Authority carried out a hazardous rescue mission that retrieved his body from 30 metres below the crater’s sulfur lake. The crater is a well‑known tourist site, drawing visitors with its dramatic geology and steaming waters. The rescue effort underscored the need for rigorous safety measures in extreme sports.

A 30‑year‑old free‑climber in Yemen who had earned the nickname Spider‑Man of Yemen lost his life after a fall into the Hardah Dam volcanic crater on Friday.

Al‑Qaqa Ibn Antar, who was following a steep wall of the crater’s rock face without safety equipment, detached from the cliff and entered the crater’s water. His death was reported by Yemen’s Civil Defence Authority.

The Hardah Dam crater is a famous natural landmark in the country, attracting tourists who explore its potholes and the hot sulfur lake that sits at its base.

Rescuers from the Civil Defence carried out a highly dangerous operation over the weekend to recover Antar’s body. They scaled the crater’s side, used climbing gear and a cage winch to pull the body from a depth of 30 metres (98 feet) below the water surface. The mission was described as "most difficult and complex" by the authorities.

After the successful recovery, Yemen’s Civil Defence praised the water rescue teams for their heroic efforts and promoted the team for their exceptional field capabilities under harsh environmental conditions inside the volcano.