“Spider-Man of Yemen” dies in fall from volcanic crater

A social media free-climber known as the “Spider-Man of Yemen” has died after falling into a volcanic crater in southwestern Yemen.

Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar was attempting to climb the steep rock walls of the Hardah Dam volcanic crater on Friday, June 12, without safety equipment, when he fell, according to local authorities, cited by the BBC.

The 30-year-old had a large social media following and was widely known for performing dangerous acrobatic stunts in online videos.

The Hardah Dam volcanic crater is one of the country’s most well-known natural landmarks. In recent years, it has also become a tourist attraction, featuring a hot sulfur lake at its base.

Video footage circulating online appears to show the moment of the fall. It shows Ibn Antar climbing a near-vertical crater wall before losing his grip and falling.

Yemen’s Civil Defence Authority said in a statement on Sunday that its water rescue team carried out the recovery of his body “from the bottom of the crater” and praised the “heroic efforts” of the team.

The authority described the operation as “highly dangerous” and “one of the most difficult and complex field rescue missions”.

It also said the rescue team members were promoted after demonstrating “exceptional field capabilities amid rugged terrain, harsh environmental conditions and high temperatures inside the volcanic crater”.

The authority released footage showing rescuers descending into the crater using climbing equipment and lowering a cage to retrieve the body.

According to the Associated Press, his body was found by divers inside the 120-m-wide crater at a depth of 30 metres (98 ft) below the water surface.

By Tamilla Hasanova