‘Spider-Man of Yemen’ free climber dies after reportedly losing grip, plummets into volcanic crater

Yemeni climber Al-Qa’qa’ bin Antar, 30, popularly dubbed the “Spider-Man of Yemen,” has died attempting a climb without a safety rope at the Haradhat Damt volcanic crater.

Antar had built a following on Facebook by posting videos of his daring climbs, which he did without ropes, harnesses, or other safety equipment. Videos posted to his 338,000 followers show him nimbly scrambling up and down sheer cliffs, often barefoot, with the most recent image showing him smiling while wearing a Spider-Man costume.

But, as per Al Jazeera, on June 12, Antar was climbing inside the Haradhat Damt crater when eyewitnesses reported he lost his footing and plunged to his death. Video footage shows that shortly before he died, Antar was purposefully dangling by one hand over the crater’s depths, then posing upside down, before losing his grip while appearing to dance on the edge.

Yemen’s 'Spider-Man' has died after falling while climbing the 120-metre Haradhat Damt volcanic crater without equipment.

Tributes have poured in from fans of Al-Qa'qa' bin Antar, who became famous for his videos attempting daring climbs. pic.twitter.com/gazsdVovGQ

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 13, 2026

“One of the most difficult and complex field rescue missions”

The BBC quotes Yemen’s Civil Defence Authority, which deployed its water rescue team in an attempt to retrieve Antar’s body “from the bottom of the crater”. They describe this as a “heroic effort” from their crew, who undertook what they describe as “one of the most difficult and complex field rescue missions”.

Antar’s body was reportedly finally discovered by divers 98ft (30m) below the surface of the crater’s hot sulfur lake, with those tasked with retrieving him having to contend with “exceptional field capabilities amid rugged terrain, harsh environmental conditions and high temperatures inside the volcanic crater”.

The Haradhah Damt volcanic crater is a remote and dangerous region in Yemen’s Al Dhale province that has steadily attracted a stream of thrill-seekers in recent years. But, as the IB Times points out, the crater is not set up for casual tourism, and there are no safety railings, markings, or viewing platforms, with the loose terrain making the interior especially hazardous.

Antar’s death has resulted in “grief” in Yemeni and Arab circles (as per BBC Arabic), who also report that (translated from Arabic by Google) he was “striving to improve his standard of living with his family” and that he’d hoped to use his social media fame to build a better life for them