A nearly 40-metre-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed after a powerful storm struck the Brazilian city of Guaiba on Monday afternoon, local authorities confirmed. Despite the dramatic incident, no injuries were reported, either among pedestrians or staff at nearby establishments.
The replica, standing approximately 114 feet tall, was installed in the parking area of a Havan retail megastore, close to a fast-food outlet. As a line of severe storms swept across southern Brazil, intense winds battered the region, placing enormous pressure on the structure. Video footage circulating on social media showed the statue’s upper section swaying visibly before giving way under the force of the wind.
Moments later, the statue toppled and shattered on the ground. The head of the replica was crushed into pieces on impact, while other sections broke apart and scattered across the parking lot. Emergency services quickly secured the area to prevent further risks, and the site was cordoned off as a precaution.
Havan, the retail chain that owns the statue, said in a statement that only the upper portion of the structure collapsed. According to company officials, the damaged section measured around 24 metres (78 feet), while the 11-metre (36-foot) pedestal remained intact. Engineers are expected to assess the site to determine the cause of the failure and decide whether the structure can be repaired or must be fully dismantled.
The fallen replica was one of several similar statues installed outside Havan megastores across Brazil as part of the company’s branding strategy. These replicas, inspired by the iconic New York monument, have become widely recognised landmarks in several Brazilian cities.
Local authorities attributed the collapse to extreme weather conditions, noting that the storm brought unusually strong winds to the area. They reiterated warnings for residents to remain cautious during severe weather, as meteorological agencies forecast further instability in parts of southern Brazil.
Cleanup operations began shortly after the incident, and Havan said it would cooperate fully with authorities to ensure safety and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
