13 June 2024 , 18:07
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A notorious free-climber known for his daredevil, equipment-free feats managed to scale a mammoth bridge with ease, all the while remaining under the radar of local police.
Marcin Banot, 36, has garnered a reputation for gravity-defying climbs, having scaled some of the world's tallest buildings without aid. Polish-born Banot has managed to haul himself to the top of world-famous landmarks, including The Shard in London and Paris' Eiffel Tower.
In his latest anxiety-inducing feat, the climber recorded himself scrambling up Portugal's Dom Luis I bridge, which crosses the Douro River in Porto, the country's capital. The short video shows Banot zooming up a steel beam, dressed casually in jeans, a t-shirt, Converses and a baseball cap.
The climber managed to scoot up an iron beam without assistance (Newsflash)
Most people didn't see the climber until he popped over the ledge (Newsflash)During the attempt, captured on June 8, he shimmied up the 140-year-old structure so fast that most tourists and locals crossing the river didn't notice him until he arrived at the top. Pictures show the climber popping out of the top of one tower, demonstrating the complete absence of any climbing gear.
Police have said they didn't find out about the dizzying display until some time after the fact. Porto police spokesperson Antonio Veiga admitted they only found out when the videos were posted on YouTube and Instagram. He said: "Given the speed of the incident, it was not possible to proceed with identification." While he got away scot-free, Banot reminded would-be copycats that climbing the bridge is illegal and could be very dangerous.
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Banot was captured by firefighters while attempting one climb in Argentina (Newsflash)
Argentine authorities have said Banot should pay for the rescue efforts (Newsflash)The climber has not always completed his stunts without incident, as this week it emerged that Banot was intercepted by firefighters and police as he tried to scale the 410-foot Globant Towers building in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 7. As he neared the top, expert firefighters were lowered down in safety harnesses and lines to halt the climb.
Banot was seen being bundled into the building through a hole in the wall while he was clamped to several rescuers. Now, he faces calls from the city's Justice Department to give him the bill for the full cost of the rescue, which involved 30 firefighters and other emergency services staff.
Prosecutors also ordered his arrest for trespassing. Waldo Wolff, the City Minister of Security and Justice, said: "The professionalism of our firefighters in the face of the climber's recklessness." He added: "I want to congratulate the Special Rescue Group (GER) and the entire public security system of the city for the efficiency in the rescue of the Polish citizen who was climbing in Puerto Madero.
"Given the irresponsibility of this subject, who is detained and at the disposal of Justice, the professionalism of our brigades was essential to avoid any tragic outcome. Likewise, we will ask the Justice Department to have the offender pay the cost of the operation." Banot aims to travel the world to climb the iconic buildings and landmarks in every city he visits, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world.