Yemen's Spider Man climber dies in volcanic crater plunge

Al‑Qaqa Ibn Antar, the social‑media free‑climber who earned the nickname Spider‑Man of Yemen, died after he fell into the Hardah Dam volcanic crater on Friday. The crater is 120 metres wide and lies in Yemen’s southwest.

The 30‑year‑old was attempting to climb the steep rock faces of the crater without safety equipment when it slipped and he fell. Video footage of the moment of the fall later went viral online.

Yemen’s Civil Defence Authority praised the heroic work of its water rescue team, describing the operation as highly dangerous and one of the most complex field rescue missions. The team scaled the side of the crater using climb gear and then winched a cage down to retrieve the body.

Divers found the body inside the crater at a depth of 30 metres (98 feet) below the water surface. The rescue highlighted the extreme temperatures inside the crater and the challenging terrain through which the crew worked.

Hardah Dam, a former hydro‑electric plant, now attracts visitors who come to see the hot sulfur lake that sits at the base of the volcano.

The incident underscores the risks associated with free‑climbing on volcanic islands and the importance of safety precautions.