The Statue of Liberty replica in Guaíba, Brazil, stood 35 meters tall, with a 24-meter upper structure. Installed at a Havan megastore in 2020, it was a prominent landmark for shoppers and the city.
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It looked like an absolutely ordinary Monday afternoon in southern Brazil that turned into a dramatic scene straight out of a disaster film. A massive replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed under powerful gusts of wind in the city of Guaíba near Porto Alegre in Brazil. Fortunately no one was injured in the incident but the towering figure that had stood proudly for years is now lying in pieces.
WATCH: Replica of the Statue of Liberty topples due to strong winds in Guaíba, Brazil pic.x.com/pMxN7KLu5y
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The replica owned by the Havan retail chain stood at an impressive 35 meters in total height with the upper 24 meters of the statue bearing the brunt of the storm.
Positioned in the car park of a Havan store near a fast-food outlet, the statue had become a well-known local landmark since its installation in 2020.
Videos circulating on social media captured the intense moment. The statue tilted and swayed dangerously in gusting winds. Then it crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact.
Cars continued to pass nearby as witnesses scrambled to record the unfolding event. Some moved their vehicles to safety.
Earlier in the day, local authorities had issued a red alert warning residents of severe winds and the potential dangers they posed. The Defesa Civil of Rio Grande do Sul activated emergency protocols sending urgent alerts directly to cell phones. Residents were instructed to remain indoors, secure doors and windows, disconnect electrical devices and avoid open areas.
Meteorologists from the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (Inmet) reported gusts exceeding 90 km/h in the region. The combination of a cold front and atmospheric instability created some perfect conditions for such violent winds.
Thanks to the early warnings and immediate action by authorities and the retail chain, there were no injuries. The area around the fallen statue was quickly isolated, preventing pedestrians or motorists from venturing too close.
Havan issued an official statement emphasising that the safety of customers, employees, and the local community remained their top priority. Specialised teams were immediately deployed to remove debris and begin technical inspections.
While the collapse appears to have been caused by extreme winds, the company and local authorities are conducting a thorough technical assessment to confirm the reasons. Havan confirmed that all their statues across the country are constructed with proper documentation and adhere to strict safety standards.
“The statue had been in operation since 2020 and met all technical requirements,” said a company spokesperson. “We will carry out a detailed investigation to ensure such incidents do not happen in the future.”
The 11-meter pedestal, forming the base of the statue, remained intact. The fall only affected the upper portion, which broke at its base. Teams from Havan are now working to safely remove the debris while maintaining restricted access to the site.
The collapse of the Statue of Liberty replica was just one of many of Monday’s severe storm. Multiple cities across the state reported hailstorms, flooding, wind damage.
Municipalities including Cristal, Passo Fundo, Santa Cruz do Sul, Vera Cruz experienced partial damage to roofs and structures. Streets in Lajeado reported floods, disrupted traffic and local activities.
Meteorologists warned that the combination of cold fronts and low-pressure systems frequently produces intense thunderstorms during the summer months in Rio Grande do Sul. Gusts exceeding 90 km/h are highly dangerous for tall structures and outdoor installations.
The replica of the Statue of Liberty is not unique to Guaíba. Havan megastores across Brazil feature similar statues. They are eye-catching landmarks there. Each statue follows standardised dimensions, with a total height of 35 meters. Each has integration into the architectural design of the store.
Beyond the dramatic statue collapse, Monday’s storm brought widespread disruption to Rio Grande do Sul. Hailstorms, flooding, fallen trees and power interruptions, structural damage have been reported.
The mayor of Guaíba and municipal teams coordinated closely with the state Defesa Civil to monitor the aftermath. They have kept communication channels open for residents to report additional damage.
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