Couple scale Empire State Building for apparent proposal

Two people were arrested Wednesday after they climbed up an antenna on the top of the Empire State Building in New York — and possibly got engaged at the same time.

The pair, wearing black with their faces covered, unfurled a banner on top of the 1,454-foot (443-metre) landmark that read “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

“Two individuals were taken into custody without incident. There are no injuries reported. Charges are pending, and the investigation is still ongoing,” a New York police spokesman told AFP.

The man went down on one knee and appeared to propose to the woman, before they kissed and embraced.

The Empire State Building has an observation deck open to the public that offers stunning views of New York, but access to higher points is forbidden.

Still, some people have tried to scale the building in the past. It was not immediately clear how the pair reached the antenna.

New York landmarks including the Empire State Building have heightened security since the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.

The climb came as the heatwave-gripped city is already in high spirits, bracing for the expected wedding of musician Taylor Swift and National Football League star Travis Kelce, and crowds for the July 4 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.