A 24-metre tall replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed on Monday in southern Brazil after a powerful storm brought extremely strong winds to the region. The statue, located outside a large retail store in the city of Guaíba, fell onto the parking area as gusts reached high speeds, but luckily no one was injured in the incident.
The dramatic moment was captured on video and shared widely on social media, where the towering structure can be seen tilting forward under the force of the wind before crashing to the ground, drawing widespread attention online.
Image Source: X/ @BGatesIsaPyscho
What happened
- On December 15, a severe windstorm hit Guaíba, a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.
- The storm produced gusts of wind up to 80–90 km/h, causing strong pressure on tall outdoor structures.
- The replica, standing about 24 metres tall, slowly leaned under wind pressure before falling into the store’s parking lot.
- Despite the size and strength of the collapse, no injuries or significant property damage were reported because the area was nearly empty at the time
Where it happened
The structure stood in front of a Havan megastore, a well-known retail chain in Brazil that uses such replicas as landmarks at many of its outlets.
Local authorities and store staff quickly secured the scene and kept people at a safe distance while cleanup began.
Reaction and safety
- Videos of the statue falling went viral on social media, attracting comments from people around the world.
- Civil defence teams had earlier issued storm warnings, advising residents to stay indoors due to the severe weather risk.
- Officials said they will inspect the remains of the statue to understand what caused the collapse and whether stronger design or anchoring could prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion:
The collapse of the Statue of Liberty replica in Brazil is a reminder of how powerful weather can affect even large and well-known structures. While no harm was done this time, the incident highlights the importance of preparedness and safety measures when severe weather strikes. With this event widely shared online, discussions about structural safety and storm readiness are likely to continue.
