A towering 24-meter (79-foot) replica of the Statue of Liberty dramatically collapsed in southern Brazil after being battered by powerful winds during a severe storm. The structure, a landmark for the Havan retail store chain, toppled into an empty parking lot in the city of Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, on Monday, December 15.
The incident, captured in viral video footage, saw the statue slowly tilt forward before crashing to the ground. Local authorities confirmed that wind gusts in the area reached up to 80-90 km/h (about 50-56 mph).
Crucial Safety Measures Prevent Injury
In a fortunate turn of events, no injuries or property damage were reported. The structure was situated on an 11-meter concrete base, which reportedly held firm even as the statue's upper section gave way. Crucially, the area was immediately isolated by Havan staff, and quick-thinking onlookers moved nearby vehicles just before the collapse.
Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed the incident and stressed that no one was hurt thanks to the immediate action of the store's staff.
Severe Weather Warning
The powerful storm was part of a larger weather system caused by the clash of intense heat with an advancing cold front in the region. The state's civil defense agency, Defesa Civil, had issued a red alert warning earlier in the day, urging residents to stay indoors and secure objects due to the threat of strong winds exceeding 90 km/h and potential structural failures.
Internal Investigation Launched
Havan, a retail chain known for placing these Americana-themed replicas outside many of its stores across Brazil, released a statement confirming the incident. The company maintains that all its statues are built and certified according to strict technical and engineering standards. Despite this certification, Havan has launched an internal investigation to determine the specific factors that caused the Guaíba replica to fail under the extreme weather conditions. Debris removal began hours after the collapse, and the store's operations were not interrupted.
