Powerful Storm Winds Knock Down the Statue of Liberty Replica in Brazil

Storm Damage Caught on Camera, Area Secured Quickly

A powerful storm in the city of Guaíba in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state brought down a nearly 40-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty. The figure, standing outside a Havan retail megastore, could not resist the force of the stormy wind and fell to the ground. Videos shared online captured the moment when the statue swayed precariously before it snapped and fell to the ground.

Officials of the company and local authorities managed to confirm that nobody was injured due to the incident, since the area around the location had been evacuated and closed well in advance. The replica has been standing on site since 2020 and, according to reports, it was installed with all necessary safety approvals. Following the collapse, access to the place became restricted while ensuring public safety and assessment of damages.

The statue, towering over at approximately 114 feet, was one of several of its kind installed outside Havan stores across Brazil. The top half of the statue was badly damaged when it came crashing down, while the tall pedestal on which it stood remained intact. Clean-up teams were brought in to remove debris, and technical experts started examining the site to assess the extent of structural damage.

Footage of the collapse quickly spread on social media as users marveled at how strong the winds must have been to knock over a structure so massive in size. The incident underlined the destructive power of extreme weather and raised questions about how outdoor installations can be better safeguarded from violent storms.

Officials said that the detailed review of the reasons for the collapse will be carried out, but apparently it was due to the extreme wind conditions. At the same time, however seriously dramatic the visuals were, because of quick action and safety precautions, the incident did not involve loss of life.