TWO Lithuanian illusionists have reportedly set a new world record for holding their breath underwater.
Brother and sister Arvydas and Diana Gaiciunas were chained on the bottom of a swimming pool at Druskininkai water amusement park in southern Lithuania on Saturday in front of hundreds of onlookers.
Diana stayed under water for 11 minutes, 7 seconds. Arvydas held his breath for 15 minutes, 58 seconds, which organisers said broke the record set in 1959 by Canadian Robert Foster.
The pair were hospitalised for tests after the event but were said to be in stable condition.
It was not clear whether officials from Guinness World Records or any other organisation attended the event, nor if the attempt would be officially recognised.
"I know this is very dangerous, but we are trained for extreme stunts and we will have professional divers watching us," Arvydas Gaiciunas said before the performance.
The pair were chained to a metal frame and inhaled pure oxygen for 40 seconds before being immersed.
