'Power of love' takes over Empire State Building as daredevil couple gets engaged in viral video

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A banner preaching peace and love. A marriage proposal nearly 1,500 feet above Manhattan. And a police operation that ended with both climbers in custody.

What unfolded atop the Empire State Building on Wednesday, July 1, looked like something out of an action movie, but authorities were left scrambling after two masked individuals illegally climbed one of America's most famous landmarks, forcing emergency responders into a risky operation before the dramatic stunt finally came to an end.

Proposal hundreds of feet above Manhattan

The pair stunned onlookers after making their way to the very top of the Empire State Building's transmission tower, where they unfurled a large banner bearing the message: "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."

For several minutes, the banner waved high above New York City's skyline as crowds gathered below and videos flooded social media.

Exactly how the two climbers managed to breach security and reach the restricted spire remains unclear.

As officers worked to reach them, the stunt took another unexpected turn.

After remaining atop the structure for roughly 30 minutes, the pair climbed down to a lower platform. 

Moments later, the male climber got down on one knee and appeared to propose.

The woman accepted as the two embraced while still perched high above the city, creating yet another viral moment during an incident that had already drawn widespread attention online.

What began as an unauthorized climb had become an engagement scene unlike almost any other.

Police forced into dangerous response

The spectacle quickly became a public safety issue.

According to reports, roughly 40 NYPD officers responded to the Empire State Building as emergency personnel worked to safely reach the climbers without causing further danger.

Eventually, officers climbed onto the structure themselves before taking both individuals into custody.

WABC later reported that the pair had been detained after descending from the spire. No injuries were immediately reported during the operation.

Identity of climbers emerges

The New York Post identified the two climbers as Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus, social media personalities known internationally for scaling skyscrapers and other towering structures without safety equipment.

Nikolau describes herself online as a "Neoartist exploring identity, fear & freedom," adding that her dream is to "push the boundaries of what's acceptable in art."

The pair have built large online followings by documenting high-risk climbs around the world.

Beyond possible criminal charges, questions are also being raised about how two people were able to access one of the country's most recognizable landmarks despite extensive security measures.