French 'Spiderman' scales world's tallest building

Before he began to scale the 2,717ft (828m) Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates, Alain Robert said he expected it to take about six or seven hours. As night fell, a row of powerful spotlights shone on the side of the tower, so spectators could see Robert in action.

After just over six hours Robert was waving down from more than half a mile in the air having even navigated the tapered spire that extends beyond the top floors of the structure. "Spiderman" had done it again.

Unlike on many previous climbs, the 48-year-old daredevil used a rope and harness to comply with organisers' requirements. An ambulance – with a stretcher at the ready – was parked alongside other emergency vehicles at the bottom of the tapering metal and glass tower. It proved an unnecessary precaution.