Dec 16: Ishfaq Gowher
A violent storm sweeping across southern Brazil caused a 24-metre-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty to collapse outside a Havan megastore in Guaiba, Rio Grande do Sul, on Monday. The dramatic incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
According to Brazil’s civil defence agency, Defesa Civil, wind gusts exceeded 90 km/h, prompting emergency weather alerts across the region. Video footage shows the towering structure slowly tilting forward before crashing into an empty parking lot. The statue, installed in 2020, was mounted on an 11-metre concrete base, which remained intact after the collapse.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries or property damage were reported. Store employees and bystanders acted swiftly, clearing vehicles and restricting access to the area moments before the structure fell.
Guaiba Mayor Marcelo Maranata said wind speeds during the storm ranged between 80 and 90 km/h, crediting rapid preventive measures for avoiding casualties. Retailer Havan said the area was immediately cordoned off in line with safety protocols and debris removal began within hours. Store operations were not affected.
The company maintained that all Statue of Liberty replicas installed at its stores across Brazil comply with engineering and safety standards. However, Havan has ordered an internal technical review to determine why the structure failed under extreme weather conditions.
The storm formed after intense heat collided with an advancing cold front, generating dense cloud cover and isolated but powerful gusts across Rio Grande do Sul. Hail was reported in Tio Hugo, roof damage occurred in Passo Fundo, Santa Cruz do Sul and Vera Cruz, while localised flooding was reported in Lajeado.
Civil defence authorities sent cell broadcast emergency alerts directly to residents’ mobile phones, warning them to avoid open spaces and tall structures. Officials said early warnings and quick response prevented a potentially serious incident.
Notably, this is not the first such collapse. In 2021, another Havan Statue of Liberty replica fell in Capao da Canoa during a cyclone, causing only material damage.
Engineering teams are now conducting inspections to assess structural vulnerabilities, as authorities reiterated the importance of caution during extreme weather events.
