Brazil Statue of Liberty: A major storm hit Guaiba in southern Brazil on December 15. The strong winds caused a 24-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty, located outside a Havan megastore in Rio Grande do Sul, to collapse. This shocking scene was captured on video by several people and is now rapidly going viral on social media. The statue had been installed in 2020 with engineering certification. During the storm, it gradually tilted and then crashed to the ground in the empty parking lot.
Brazil Statue of Liberty: How did the incident happen?
According to reports, the statue’s 11-meter-tall base remained intact, preventing any major accident. Store staff immediately evacuated the entire area, ensuring that no one was injured. Guaiba’s mayor, Marcelo Maranata, confirmed that wind speeds reached 80-90 km per hour. Havan stated that all safety protocols were followed and that debris removal began within a few hours. The company also stated that all their store replicas are safe and meet technical standards, and that a full investigation into the incident has been launched.
Security agency issues alert
According to Brazil’s civil defense agency, Defesa Civil, an alert was issued for storms and strong winds. People were advised to avoid open spaces, trees, and signs. In Rio Grande do Sul, the weather changed abruptly in the afternoon, with a storm following a period of intense heat. Weather agencies warned of increasing wind speeds and urged people in high-risk areas to take safety precautions.
Statue of Liberty Viral Video: What did eyewitnesses say?
Eyewitnesses said the replica tilted for a few seconds, giving people time to move their cars. Shortly afterward, the statue crashed to the ground. The statue’s 11-meter-tall base remained intact. Consequently, no one was harmed or injured.
Strong winds exposed the statue’s weaknesses
This statue was certified by engineers in 2020. It was built on an 11-meter concrete base. The statue itself fell due to strong winds, but its concrete base remained intact. Replicas of the Statue of Liberty are available in several stores in Brazil. These are designed for normal weather conditions and all have engineering approval. The Guaba store opened five years ago, but the strong winds exposed the statue’s weaknesses.
