VIDEO: Saudi poet Saud Al Qahtani dies after falling from mountain in Oman

Saudi poet Saud Bin Maadi Al Qahtani, widely known as the “Poet of the South”, has passed away after slipping from the slopes of Jabal Samhan in Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

According to reports circulated by local media, Al-Qahtani lost his footing while climbing the famous Jabal Samhan, a mountain renowned for its rugged terrain and popular among adventure seekers. He sustained severe injuries in the fall and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed shortly after due to the extent of his wounds.

The Civil Defense Authority in Dhofar issued a statement regarding the incident, saying: “Rescue and ambulance teams from the Civil Defense and Ambulance Department in Dhofar Governorate, in cooperation with local residents, responded to the fall of a mountain-climbing tourist from a high slope of Jabal Samhan in the Wilayat of Mirbat. He sustained critical injuries that ultimately led to his death.”

The authority urged hikers and visitors to mountainous areas to exercise extreme caution, especially during the Khareef (monsoon) season, when trails become slippery and the risk of accidents increases.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Embassy in Muscat confirmed that it had followed up on the incident involving Al-Qahtani’s fall from Jabal Samhan, and is working in coordination with the relevant Omani authorities to complete procedures for the repatriation of his body to the Kingdom. The embassy also extended its deepest condolences to his family.

Al-Qahtani: A Pioneer of Popular Poetry

News of Al-Qahtani’s passing sparked widespread grief on social media. He was regarded as one of the pioneers of Nabati (vernacular) poetry in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. He earned the title “Poet of the South” for the way his poems captured the spirit, landscape, and traditions of the southern region.

Born in Al-Qahta, Al-Baha Province, Al-Qahtani’s works were celebrated for blending the fragrance of heritage with the spirit of modernity. Over his literary career, he published more than 15 poetry collections that enriched Arabic literature, and was a familiar presence at poetry evenings both in Saudi Arabia and abroad.