Parachutist jumps from Vilnius skyscraper into European Square
Saturday 17th October 2026 on 15:45 in
Lithuania
A parachutist leapt from a skyscraper in Vilnius from a height of 114 metres and landed in European Square, LRT reported. Specialists say jumps of this kind require extensive preparation, while the Transport Safety Administration warns that they can carry fines of up to 600 euros.
A witness who saw the jump from an office told LRT Television that people there were surprised and shocked, and considered it unsafe for the parachutist. The jumper declined to give his identity, saying there was nothing particularly frightening about the stunt and that there would be more like it.
People who jump from fixed structures rather than aircraft are known as BASE jumpers. Marius Čiūta, a representative of the BASE jumping association, said jumpers assess factors including the height, wind direction and strength, and landing area before a jump. He said city jumps are not for beginners: participants typically have completed hundreds or even thousands of jumps from aircraft, cliffs or bridges.
BASE jumpers use different parachutes from those used for jumps from aircraft, Čiūta said. Algimantas Skuodis, president of the Parachuting Sports Federation, said the lower height of buildings and bridges leaves less time to respond to problems. BASE jumpers use one parachute designed to open faster, making the jumps highly risky, he said.
Skuodis urged people not to try the jumps after watching videos, but to seek training through the federation or a parachuting club and gain experience at an airfield. The Transport Safety Administration says parachute flights are generally permitted only from specially adapted aircraft, hot-air balloons, gliders and helicopters. Flights from other objects may be allowed in exceptional cases, but require approval from the civil aviation authority.
The administration has opened four investigations into unauthorised jumps over the past two years, resulting in fines in two cases. It urged anyone who witnesses a suspected offence to report it to the authorities.