He scaled deadly cliffs to escape poverty, but a volcano crater took his life.
30-year-old climber known as the "Spider-Man of Yemen" died after falling 120 meters during an unroped climb inside a dormant crater.
When survival means risking your life for online views, the margin for error is zero. For one famous climber, that risk turned fatal in an instant.
WHAT HAPPENE
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Al-Qa’qa’ bin Antar was 30 years old. People online knew him as the "Spider-Man of Yemen." He climbed high, steep rock walls without any ropes or safety gear.
On Friday, June 12, 2026, he climbed inside the Haradhat Damt crater. This is a 120-meter deep volcanic crater in Yemen's Al Dhale province.
He lost his footing and fell. Local rescue teams worked for nearly 24 hours in the steep, rocky terrain to find and recover his body.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOW
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- 30 years old: The age of climber Al-Qa’qa’ bin Antar.
- 120 meters: The depth of the Haradhat Damt volcanic crater where he fell.
- 0 ropes: He used no safety gear or harnesses during his climbs.
- 24 hours: The time it took rescue teams to recover his body.
- 1 day: The time between his fall on Friday and the recovery on Saturday.
THE BIGGER QUESTIO
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Why do people have to risk their lives on camera just to eat? Bin Antar once said that extreme poverty drove him to perform these dangerous stunts for money.
In a country torn by conflict, safe jobs are hard to find. This forces many to choose between hunger and extreme danger.
THE OTHER SID
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Some critics argue that promoting unroped climbing on social media is reckless. They say these platforms should not reward extreme risks with views and cash. Yet, for someone facing starvation, the promise of digital income can feel like the only way out.
Based on the evidence, the drive to escape poverty is a powerful force that makes warnings about safety feel distant.
WHAT HAPPENS NO
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This loss leaves a community in mourning. It highlights the desperate steps people take to survive in Yemen.
It may spark new warnings or local bans on climbing the Haradhat Damt crater.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNO
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- How much money did his viral videos actually make for his family?
- Will local leaders block access to the crater to prevent more deaths?
- What support is available for other young people facing similar poverty?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 13, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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