Daredevil climbers get engaged after scaling top of the Empire State Building

July 1, 2026

Two Russian nationals, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, were arrested after illegally climbing to the top of New York City's Empire State Building's telecommunications antenna, where Beerkus proposed marriage to Nikolau. The couple, who are known for performing similar climbing stunts globally and were featured in a 2024 documentary, spent at least 10 minutes atop the 1,454-foot structure and displayed a banner promoting peace. They apparently accessed the restricted area through a maintenance hatch on the 103rd floor, though it's unclear how they reached that level from the publicly accessible 102nd floor.

Who is affected

Angela Nikolau (33) and Ivan Beerkus (32), Russian nationals who were taken into custody
Tenants, visitors, and guests at the Empire State Building (though the building spokesperson stated they were not endangered)
The Empire State Building organization
New York Police Department officers who responded to the incident

What action is being taken

The NYPD has taken the two individuals into custody
The couple faces charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, trespass, and disorderly conduct

Why it matters

This incident highlights security vulnerabilities at one of New York City's most iconic landmarks, demonstrating that unauthorized individuals can access restricted areas of the 1,454-foot building. The breach raises concerns about building security protocols and the safety risks posed by illegal climbing stunts at major tourist attractions, even when performed by experienced climbers.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC