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- By Supratik Das
- Tue, 16 Dec 2025 03:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A nearly 40-metre-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed on Monday afternoon after intense winds battered the southern Brazilian city of Guaiba, authorities said. The incident occurred during a severe storm that swept across Rio Grande do Sul, triggering weather alerts and causing damage in several areas. No injuries were reported.
The replica, installed in the parking lot of a Havan retail megastore near a fast-food outlet, began to tilt under the force of strong wind gusts before crashing to the ground. Videos of the collapse, widely shared on social media, show the statue’s upper section swaying briefly before breaking apart on impact. The head of the structure was crushed into pieces.
Storm Brings High-Speed Winds To Southern Brazil
Local weather agencies recorded wind speeds ranging between 80 and 90 kmph at the time of the incident, with some areas reporting gusts close to 100 kmph. The state Civil Defence had earlier issued emergency alerts warning residents of strong winds, heavy rain and the possibility of structural damage as a cold front moved across the region.
Officials said the statue measured around 114 feet in total height. Only the upper portion, about 24 metres tall, collapsed, while the 11-metre pedestal remained intact. The replica had been standing at the site since the store opened in 2020.
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Havan, the retail chain that owns the structure, said the area was immediately cordoned off as a precaution. Specialist teams were deployed within hours to remove debris and ensure customer safety. The company confirmed that the statue had all the required technical and engineering certifications at the time of installation. “The safety of customers and staff is our priority. All protocols were followed promptly,” Havan said in a statement, adding that an internal technical inspection would determine whether factors beyond extreme weather contributed to the collapse. The supermarket continued operations in unaffected sections, though access to the area surrounding the fallen statue remained restricted.
Mayor Confirms No Casualties
Guaiba Mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed that there were no casualties or major property damage. He praised the swift response by municipal teams, Civil Defence officials and infrastructure workers who secured the site and assessed nearby areas for additional risks. “From the first moment, our teams were on the ground monitoring the situation. Despite strong winds, everything remained under control,” the mayor said, noting that some buildings in the city suffered minor damage.
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The storm affected several parts of Rio Grande do Sul, with reports of hail, fallen trees, damaged roofs and temporary power outages. Some streets experienced waterlogging due to heavy rainfall. Meteorological authorities said weather conditions are expected to improve from Tuesday, though light rain may persist in isolated areas.
A similar incident involving a Statue of Liberty replica was reported in Capao da Canoa in 2021, when a cyclone brought down another structure during high winds. As visuals of the collapse continue to circulate online, authorities have reiterated that public safety measures worked as intended, preventing any loss of life during the dramatic incident.