Yemen’s “Spider-Man” Climber Dies After Falling Into Volcanic Crater

Al-Qa’qa’ bin Antar, a 30-year-old Yemeni free-climber known online as the “Spider-Man of Yemen,” fell into the Haradhat Damt volcanic crater in Dhale province on Friday. While scaling the crater’s vertical walls without ropes or protective gear, he lost his grip and fell into the 120-metre (393-foot) opening. Civil defence divers retrieved his body after a four-hour underwater search, completing the recovery nearly 24 hours later.

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Bin Antar gained regional fame by posting barefoot, rope-free ascents of Yemen’s rugged terrain, often marking rock faces with Arabic chalk and performing stunts such as human-flag poses. He cited poverty as a motive for dangerous climbs that generated online income. Prior to his death he repeatedly filmed climbs at the same volcano, building a sizable following.

YnetNews

Key actors include Al-Qa’qa’ bin Antar, the climber; the Yemeni Civil Defence Authority, which led the rescue; its diving commander Mohammed al-Qans; and Al Jazeera, which reported witness statements.

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Friday: Bin Antar began the ascent and fell into the crater. A four-hour underwater search followed, which authorities described as complex. Saturday: Divers recovered his body at 30 metres depth, ending a 24-hour operation.

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Crater walls rise 120 metres (393 feet). Water at the base reaches 30 metres (100 feet). The rescue involved a four-hour dive and a total of roughly 24 hours of effort under extreme heat.

Associated Press

The death highlights the risk of unsupervised, equipment-free climbing on volatile terrain. Authorities stress the need for protective gear, echoing broader worries about social-media-driven stunt culture.

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

The Civil Defence Authority urged climbers to follow safety procedures and use protective equipment. Commander Mohammed al-Qans described the recovery as among the most challenging rescue missions in Yemen. Al Jazeera reported a witness saying bin Antar landed on his back and head, bleeding from his ears and face.

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Safety experts condemned the practice of climbing without ropes or helmets on steep, hot volcanic terrain. Some online users questioned the authenticity of a video claimed to show the fatal fall, noting it appeared to be from 2025.

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

Al Jazeera cited a video that some users said was unrelated to the accident, and no forensic verification of the footage has been released, leaving uncertainty about the visual record.

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• “appropriate protective gear to avert similar incidents.” — Yemeni Civil Defence Authority

Associated Press

• “one of the most difficult and dangerous rescue missions in Yemen” — Mohammed al-Qans, Commander, Civil Defence Diving Unit

YnetNews

• “complex” — Yemeni Civil Defence Authority (describing the rescue operation)

Associated Press

• “Al Jazeera quoted a witness as saying bin Antar landed on his back and head and was bleeding from his ears and face.” — Witness cited by Al Jazeera

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