Two climbers detained after scaling Empire State Building

Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building’s transmission tower Wednesday, unfurled a banner about peace and then appeared to get engaged as police responded to one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks.

The incident began around noon, CBS News New York reported, citing police sources. The two climbers, who appeared to be a man and a woman, were seen wearing masks as they reached the top of the building’s radio and television transmission tower. A large banner they displayed read: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”

The pair stood at the top of the spire together before climbing down to a lower platform. There, one of them appeared to drop to one knee and propose marriage to the other. They embraced, the woman removed her mask and the two kissed before continuing their descent.

The BBC reported that the two were atop the 1,454-foot, or 443-meter, building for at least 10 minutes. CBS News New York reported that they began descending from the top at 12:35 p.m. Police sources told the station the two have since been taken into custody.

It was not immediately clear how they managed to climb to the top of the transmission tower. CBS News New York reported that one of the two initially began to descend shortly after the banner was displayed, then returned to the top. Police sources also told the station the pair appeared to be posting to social media while on the tower.

The New York Police Department told the BBC it had no information to provide. CBS News New York reported that possible charges could include trespass and reckless endangerment, citing police sources.

An NYPD helicopter responded to the scene. People were initially seen on the observation deck below as usual, but the deck was later cleared, CBS News New York reported. The street below was also closed off as police responded.

Former CBS News New York chief engineer John Cleary said the climb was dangerous, particularly because the tower is an active broadcast structure.

“These guys are a little crazy. Climbing up and down that tower, especially in this heat, is very strenuous. It’s easy to make mistakes. It doesn’t look like they’re wearing any harnesses. There’s a lot of RF, there’s a lot of electrical energy up on that tower,” Cleary said. “There’s potential for danger up there. It’s something that we’re trained to do. We go to classes for this… it’s not like you climb rocks. This is a live transmission tower. There’s a lot of danger up there.”

The Empire State Building’s top floor is 1,250 feet above the city. Including the transmission tower, the building reaches 1,454 feet and is among the 10 tallest buildings in the United States.

Others have climbed the tower before, but under different circumstances. In 2023, actor and singer Jared Leto climbed it with permission to mark the launch of 30 Seconds to Mars’ 2024 world tour.