Two Arrested After Climbing Empire State Building Spire

Two people were taken into custody Wednesday after illegally climbing the antenna spire atop New York City's Empire State Building, where they unfurled a banner promoting peace and appeared to become engaged before returning to the building. New York police said officers responded after receiving reports of unauthorized climbers on the landmark's upper structure. The pair, later identified by authorities as well-known urban climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, were arrested without injury after descending from the restricted area. Authorities said they face multiple charges, including burglary, criminal trespass and reckless endangerment.

The climbers reached the building's antenna mast, which rises approximately 1,454 feet (443 meters) above street level, and displayed a black banner bearing a peace message before the man appeared to propose to the woman on a lower section of the structure. Police temporarily secured the area, while portions of the observation deck were cleared as emergency personnel monitored the situation from the ground and by air. Officials said there were no reports of injuries to the public or damage to the building, though the unauthorized climb prompted a security response at the historic skyscraper.