An Austrian base jumper successfully challenged the world's tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101 tower, in Taiwan Province on Tuesday.
Taiwan-based Chinese Daily reports that 38-year-old Felix Baumgartner made the unapproved leap from a sightseeing platform of the 508-meter-high building.
Felix Baumgartner and his team smuggled the parachute into the building on Monday and stored it on the roof of a washroom.
Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner jumps from the world's tallest skyscraper, Tapei 101 tower, in Taiwan Province on Tuesday, December 11, 2007. (photo: Chinese Daily)
Under the cover of his assistants, Baumgartner broke through the 3-meter-high cordon and jumped down from the platform. Soon after his landing, he took a flight and left Taiwan.
A source said the skydiver took aim of Taipei 101 when it was completed in 2004 and has made several inspection visits in recent years.
A spokesman of the building's owner warned that this dangerous behavior should not be imitated. Meanwhile, since the parachute used by Baumgartner bore the logo of a beverage company, the building's owner reserves the right to file a lawsuit for violation of Taipei 101's trademark.
Taipei 101 Tower in this undated photo. (photo: Chinese Daily)
(CRI December 14, 2007)