A dramatic incident unfolded in southern Brazil when a large replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed during a powerful storm. The statue, located in the city of Guaíba, was not the iconic monument from New York but a nearly 40-metre-tall replica installed outside a Havan retail megastore. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the incident.
The collapse happened on Monday afternoon at around 3 p.m., when intense winds swept through the region. Weather authorities recorded wind speeds exceeding 90 kmph, with some areas experiencing gusts close to 100 kmph. Video footage shared online showed the statue swaying heavily before finally toppling over. The impact caused the upper portion of the statue to break apart, with the head being crushed on the ground.
Statue of Liberty Replica
The replica stood approximately 114 feet tall and was one of many similar statues placed outside Havan stores across Brazil. According to company officials, only the upper section of the structure, around 24 metres high, collapsed, while the 11-metre pedestal remained intact. Havan stated that the statue had been installed in 2020 and had all the required technical certifications.
Immediately after the incident, the area was cordoned off as a safety measure. Specialist teams were deployed to clear debris, and the damaged section was removed within hours. The store continued operating in unaffected areas, although access near the statue was restricted.
Guaíba’s mayor, Marcelo Maranata, confirmed that there were no casualties and praised the quick response by local authorities and emergency teams. State Civil Defence officials also assisted in securing the area and checking for additional damage nearby.
The storm impacted several parts of Rio Grande do Sul, causing fallen trees, damaged roofs, power outages, and flooding in some streets. Meteorologists explained that a cold front triggered the sudden and strong winds. Severe weather warnings were sent to residents via mobile alerts before the storm hit.
Havan has announced that a technical inspection will be carried out to determine whether extreme weather alone caused the collapse or if other factors were involved. While weather conditions are expected to improve, authorities remain cautious as light rain may continue in parts of the region.
This unusual incident highlights the increasing impact of extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and safety measures in public spaces.
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