Yemen Civil Defense Updates Efforts to Recover Body of Climber “Al-Qa‘qa”

Yemen’s Civil Defense has announced new updates in its ongoing efforts to recover the body of Yemeni climber Antar Al-Absi, known as “Al-Qa‘qa,” who fell into the volcanic crater of Haradha Damt in Al-Dhalea governorate, southern Yemen.

In a statement posted on X, Civil Defense said: “A diving and water rescue team from the Civil Defense Authority in Sana’a has arrived at the Haradha volcanic site in Damt with full equipment and lighting units to recover Al-Qa‘qa’s body.”

Rescue teams continue their search operations, conducting field surveys at the accident site and surrounding areas. The mission has been reinforced with specialized diving and water rescue units due to the rugged terrain and the difficulty of accessing certain areas around the crater.

Civil Defense urged citizens to exercise caution when engaging in sports or recreational activities in mountainous and hazardous areas, stressing the importance of adhering to safety measures to prevent similar accidents.

Videos shared on social media documented the moment Al-Qa‘qa fell while standing on the edge of the volcanic crater, sparking widespread grief among his followers.

Al-Qa‘qa had gained popularity through videos showing him climbing steep cliffs and rugged terrain in Haradha Damt without professional safety gear. In one widely circulated video, he revealed that poverty had driven him to risk his life with dangerous climbing stunts as a means to earn a living.