A massive replica of the Statue of Liberty has collapsed in southern Brazil after strong winds swept through the area, causing alarm among residents and going viral on social media. The incident happened on December 15 in the city of Guaíba, near Porto Alegre, in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state.
The statue, which stood about 24 metres tall, was knocked over by powerful gusts of wind during severe weather conditions. Local authorities confirmed that no one was injured in the incident, as the area around the statue was largely empty at the time.
The collapse followed earlier warnings by Brazil’s civil defence service, which had declared a red alert due to dangerous wind conditions. Residents in Guaíba and surrounding areas were advised to remain indoors, unplug electrical appliances, and firmly close doors and windows to reduce the risk of injury or damage.
The replica of the Statue of Liberty was located in the parking lot of a Havan retail store, a popular Brazilian shopping chain known for placing large replicas of the famous American monument outside many of its outlets. The statue in Guaíba was one of several similar replicas owned by the company across Brazil.
According to Havan, the parking area was almost empty when the statue fell, which helped prevent injuries. The company said it was relieved that no customers or staff members were harmed during the incident.
Videos shared widely on social media showed the moment the statue began to tilt before crashing to the ground. In some of the clips, drivers could be seen hurriedly moving their vehicles away from the area as the structure started to give way. The dramatic footage quickly spread online, drawing reactions from users around the world.
Eyewitnesses said the winds were unusually strong and sudden. Some residents reported hearing loud noises as the statue collapsed, while others said the weather conditions had been worsening throughout the day.
Local news reports said emergency services were alerted immediately after the collapse. Officials cordoned off the area to prevent people from getting close to the fallen structure and to assess any potential risks.
The city of Guaíba is located along the shores of Lake Guaíba and is part of the greater Porto Alegre metropolitan area. The region is known to experience severe weather at certain times of the year, including heavy rainstorms and strong winds.
In recent years, southern Brazil has seen an increase in extreme weather events, which experts link to climate change. Floods, storms, and heatwaves have become more frequent, causing damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
Following the collapse of the statue, local officials said they would review safety measures for large outdoor structures, especially those located in public areas such as shopping centres and parking lots.
Havan said it would cooperate fully with authorities to investigate what caused the structure to fail. The company also said it would assess the condition of similar statues at its other locations to ensure they are safe.
The Statue of Liberty replica is meant to symbolise freedom and opportunity, drawing inspiration from the original monument in New York, which was a gift from France to the United States in 1886. The New York statue stands over 93 metres tall, including its base, and is one of the most recognised landmarks in the world.
Havan has used replicas of the statue as part of its branding strategy for years. The statues are often placed at the entrance or parking areas of its stores and have become a familiar sight in many Brazilian cities.
While the replicas attract attention and customers, critics have in the past raised concerns about their size, safety, and placement. The incident in Guaíba has renewed discussions about whether such large structures should be allowed in open public spaces without stricter safety checks.
For residents of Guaíba, the collapse was a reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather. Many said they were grateful that the incident did not happen during a busy shopping period.
Brazilian authorities have urged the public to continue taking weather warnings seriously. They have also encouraged businesses and property owners to ensure that large structures are built and maintained to withstand extreme conditions.
As cleanup efforts continue, the fallen statue remains a striking image of the power of nature. The viral videos have sparked global attention, with many people expressing shock at how easily the massive structure fell.