Strong winds toppled a 24-meter-tall Statue of Liberty replica in Guaíba, southern Brazil, on December 15, amid severe weather in Rio Grande do Sul. The structure, installed by the Brazilian retail chain Havan in 2020, collapsed in the parking lot of one of the company’s megastores.
Video footage shared on social media showed the statue swaying before falling, while nearby drivers moved vehicles out of harm’s way. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the parking lot was nearly empty at the time.
Earlier, civil defence officials had issued a red-level weather alert for the region, warning residents to stay indoors, secure doors and windows, and unplug electrical appliances due to strong winds and flying debris. Reportedly, wind speeds exceeded 90 kilometres per hour, posing a significant risk to structures and the public.
Havan confirmed that the statue carried the necessary technical responsibility certification when it was installed and reiterated that the safety of customers, employees, and the surrounding community is its top priority. The company announced that a technical inspection will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the collapse and take any necessary corrective measures.
Local civil defence authorities will also investigate the incident, examining both structural and weather-related factors to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Meanwhile, cleanup operations began shortly after the collapse, and the area surrounding the fallen statue was secured as a precaution.
The toppled statue has drawn significant attention on social media, highlighting the risks posed by extreme weather events and the importance of structural safety.
Both the company and authorities emphasised the need for caution during high-wind situations and assured that measures would be taken to restore safety and prevent future accidents.
