An adventurous individual dubbed as “The Spider-Man of Yemen” has tragically passed away following a failed stunt.
Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, aged 30, met his demise while attempting to climb the steep walls of the Hardah Dam volcanic crater in the southern Dhale province. Without any safety gear, he slipped and fell into the 120-meter (393 feet) deep crater during his climb.
A video released by the Civil Defense Authority captured the moment of Antar’s fall as he climbed the rocky cliff without any safety equipment. The video showed him grasping the cliff with Arabic inscriptions written in white across the rock face. Antar lost his grip and plummeted while holding onto the cliff with his right hand raised in the air.
Rescue teams, including diving and water specialists, were dispatched to recover Antar’s body, which was located by divers at a depth of 30 meters (100 feet) beneath the water surface. The operation to retrieve Antar was described as “complex” due to the challenging terrain of the steep and rocky location.
The Hardah Dam, also known as the Haradhat Damt, is a distinct volcanic crater situated near Damt city in Yemen’s Dahle province. This landmark features steep rocky walls with a hot sulfurous lake at its base.
Antar had gained popularity on social media for sharing videos showcasing his risky ascents of Yemen’s rugged terrains. His daring stunts often went viral, with one video showing him hanging from a cliff edge using only his bare hands, dangling his legs over a steep slope without safety precautions.
The Civil Defense Authority has advised individuals participating in climbing and adventure sports to adhere to safety protocols and emphasized the importance of using proper protective gear to prevent similar incidents.