A nearly 40-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed in Guaíba, Brazil, on Monday afternoon after a severe storm hit the city. The strong winds, part of the storm that struck the southern region, toppled the structure near Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul. Local authorities and the company that owned the replica confirmed there were no injuries.
The incident occurred at around 3 pm, at the height of the storm. Strong winds struck the statue located in the parking area of a Havan retail megastore near a fast-food restaurant, as a series of storms swept through southern Brazil. Video footage captured the tall bust bending under the wind's pressure before it toppled and shattered. The statue's head was smashed into fragments upon hitting the ground.
The video clip has since gone viral, showing the statue tilting before toppling to the ground, as traffic continues to move on a busy road nearby. The replica was located near a fast-food outlet, capturing the dramatic moment as it fell.
A 114-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty outside a Havan store in Guaíba, Brazil, collapsed after strong winds struck the city. The upper 78-foot portion fell, while the 36-foot pedestal remained intact. Havan confirmed the statue, in place since 2020, had the required certification. The area was promptly cordoned off for safety, and specialist teams began removing debris shortly after the incident.
Weather authorities recorded wind gusts over 90 km/h in Guaíba, triggering severe weather warnings for the region. The storm affected much of Rio Grande do Sul, causing hail, fallen trees, power outages, and street flooding. Meteorologists predict improvement by Tuesday, with some rain continuing.