A heartbreaking incident occurred when a 30-year-old adventure enthusiast, known as the "Spiderman of Yemen," tragically died after falling into a volcano crater while attempting to climb a vertical rock wall without any safety equipment.
Yemen's Civil Defense Office revealed that the tragedy happened as Al-Ghoga Ibn Antar, aged 30, was climbing a steep cliff near the Hardah Dam volcano crater in Dhalah province in southern Yemen.
During the climb, he lost his footing and slipped from his grip, falling approximately 120 meters (about 393 feet) into the crater. Authorities released a short video capturing the moment he fell.
A rescue team comprising diving and water rescue specialists was dispatched to search for Antar's body, which was eventually found at about 30 meters below the water's surface.
Officials stated that the search and rescue operation lasted over four hours and was complicated due to the surrounding area's steep cliffs and rocky terrain, making access very difficult.
The Hardah Dam volcano crater, also known as Haradhat Damt, is among Yemen's notable natural landmarks. It is located near the city of Damt in Dhalah province and features a steep-walled volcanic crater with a sulfurous hot spring lake at its base.
Before his death, Antar was widely known online for videos he posted climbing Yemen's dangerous landscapes, many of which went viral.
One particularly shocking clip showed him dangling from a cliff edge, gripping the rock with his bare hands while his legs hung over a steep slope, with no ropes or safety equipment.
Following the incident, Yemen's Civil Defense Office issued warnings urging climbers and adventure enthusiasts to adhere to safety protocols and emphasized the importance of using appropriate protective gear to prevent such tragedies in the future.
:AP
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