Burj Khalifa Suicide: Man Jumps Off World's Tallest Skyscraper

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- A man committed suicide on Tuesday in a plunge of 39 floors from a segment of the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai, according to reports in the local media.

The reports cite security officials saying the man fell from the 147th floor of the 2,717 foot-tall (828-meter) Burj Khalifa and landed on a deck on the 108th floor. It is the first known suicide from the landmark tower, which opened in January 2010.

Reports on the websites of the Gulf News and 7 Days newspapers say the man jumped Tuesday after a dispute with his company.

Police did not immediately reply to calls by The Associated Press for further details.

According to the tower's owner, Emaar Properties, the half-mile-high skyscraper has 160 habitable stories. An observation deck is located on the 124th floor and a restaurant - billed as the highest in the world - is located just two floors below.

Emaar could not immediately be reached to comment on Tuesday's incident.

---

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Comments

[5SpdSolara]

01:59 PM on 05/11/2011

Is he doing okay? How badly hurt is he?

[Ian House]

01:56 PM on 05/14/2011

I hope this is a poor attempt at a joke cause last time I checked suicide means dead!!

[Left Hook]

01:28 PM on 05/11/2011

Hope he was a "values voting" conservative christian republican...

[dayzee10]

11:51 AM on 05/11/2011

Geez he just missed the record for highest suicide leap... too bad the 108th floor got in the way.

[contentsgeek]

09:51 AM on 05/11/2011

OMG! Must be the Bills...

[ebanks84]

08:03 AM on 05/11/2011

Because of a dispute with his company? Did he leave a note indicating why he did what he did or is this just speculation? My condolences to his family.

[Davey Johnson]

07:16 AM on 05/11/2011

UAE is a terrible country, with slavery and worse. Desperation is a way of life for the servant class.

[dayzee10]

11:49 AM on 05/11/2011

Exactly the reasons Haliburton moved its headquarters there.

[pepelepiou]

12:57 PM on 05/11/2011

I lived in Abu dhabi did not see slavery and worst???? stop watching the wrong news

[suvariboy]

01:38 AM on 05/11/2011

What a way to go!

[fairness81]

01:20 AM on 05/11/2011

Suicide would be non-existent if euthanasia was legal and accessible around the world. People have every right to dictate their own lives and this includes the right to die. To say suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem is a misconception. People are obviously forgetting terminal/chronic illnesses can make patients suffer a long and painful experience until they pass away.

People have every right to die no matter what reason; be it depression, sickness, loneliness, lack of employment, financial issues etc. If they want to be euthanised, let them do it.

[Pembrokelib]

09:27 AM on 05/11/2011

I agree. Dogs are much luckier than people in this respect. I had to have 2 beloved dogs euthanized and it was painless and instant.

[Ali Rafeeq]

12:29 AM on 05/11/2011

That's becoming famous in a different way, after death

[Sol76]

12:16 AM on 05/11/2011

In the mind of someone suicidal, would the longer journey down have any appeal? I guess these kinds of suicides appeal to thrill seekers the most while most people would prefer instant death.

[Twrexx]

11:03 PM on 05/10/2011

Did he happen to be an American who just got his gasoline bill in the mail?

[Edward Standley]

11:02 PM on 05/10/2011

Must be terrible to feel that alone. Hope he found some peace, whatever our destination is.

[Francois Bergeron]

05:51 AM on 05/11/2011

his was down.

[oldman66able]

10:31 PM on 05/10/2011

Let us not be morbid or cynicial. Well i feel for him i also feel for those he left behind.

[Francois Bergeron]

05:52 AM on 05/11/2011

He could not have chosen a more public way to do it, so the response is obvious.

[oldman66able]

09:40 PM on 05/10/2011

Sad!

[somacrew]

09:06 PM on 05/10/2011

I didnt think it would take too long for someone to do that. That building is amazing to see in person. VERY scarey!