A massive 79-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty dramatically collapsed in southern Brazil following a severe storm on Monday. The iconic structure, located outside a Havan megastore in Guaiba, Rio Grande do Sul, toppled into an empty parking lot as powerful winds, estimated by civil defense at over 90 km/h, swept through the region. Viral videos captured the moment the immense statue began its slow descent and eventual fall. Fortunately, quick actions by store employees and passersby, who moved nearby vehicles just before the collapse, prevented any injuries or damage to property. The 24-meter statue, installed in 2020 and certified by engineers, was anchored to a robust 11-meter concrete base that remained intact. Havan, the retail chain, has confirmed that the area was secured and debris removal commenced promptly, with normal store operations unaffected. The company is launching an internal investigation to understand the structural failure, despite prior engineering certifications for all its similar replicas across Brazil. The storm system, a result of a heatwave meeting a cold front, also brought hail, roof damage, and localized flooding to other parts of the state, with authorities having issued emergency alerts beforehand. This incident echoes a similar collapse in 2021, reinforcing the importance of rapid response and early warnings during extreme weather events.
