Spider-Man Climber Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar Dies in Volcanic Crater Fall

Free climber known as “Spider-Man of Yemen” dies after falling into volcanic crater

Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, 30, died Friday when he fell into a volcanic crater while demonstrating his skills. He was climbing at the Hardah Dam crater near Damt in southern Yemen.

The crater is about 390 feet deep and Antar had climbed there many times without safety equipment. In a widely circulated video, he can be seen hanging from the crater wall without ropes or harnesses.

Antar’s death drew numerous messages of condolence on social media, with some expressing sympathy for his risks. Supporters noted that Antar may have been motivated to create social media videos of his feats due to poverty.

Yemen’s Civil Defense Authority recovered Antar’s body after a four-hour operation from about 65 feet below the crater lake. The lake has sulfur-rich waters with temperatures ranging from 100 to 140 degrees and potent gases rising from underground vents made rescue operations complicated.

The authority urged citizens and visitors to exercise caution when visiting natural beauty spots, warning them to stay away from the edge of craters and steep slopes and follow safety guidelines.

Free climbing has gained popularity due to social media. Alex Honnold, a renowned free climber, completed an ascent of Taiwan’s Taipei 101 tower without ropes in January, with the world watching online. Balin Miller, a popular Alaskan free climber, died at age 23 last summer while climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.