A powerful storm swept through Southern Brazil on December 15. Moreover, the storm caused dramatic scenes in the city of Guaíba, part of the Rio Grande do Sul metropolitan region near Porto Alegre. In addition, the collapse of a large replica of the Statue of Liberty installed outside a Havan retail megastore is among the most striking incidents of this storm. It is an event that has gone viral on social media.
According to Brazil’s Civil Defence (Defesa Civil), wind gusts during the storm reached 90 km/h due to the sudden cold front affecting much of the region. Moreover, the replica statue could withstand the intense winds and was toppled into the store’s parking area at around 3 pm, when the storm was at its peak. However, the statue measured approximately 24 metres (around 78 feet) in height and stood on an 11-metre concrete pedestal.
Viral Footage Shows Dramatic Collapse
A video shared online captured the moment the statue began to tilt under the pressure of gusts before crashing to the ground. Moreover, the impact has caused significant damage to the upper section of the structure.
The reports confirmed that the head of the statue was crushed upon the ground. In addition, many vehicles were parked nearby at that time, which heightened fears of potential injuries or damage. However, no injuries or major property losses were reported.
Store employees and eyewitnesses acted swiftly as conditions worsened, moving parked vehicles away from the statue as a precaution. This timely response is being credited for preventing casualties.
Authorities and Havan Respond Quickly
Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata addressed residents shortly after the incident. He confirmed that the emergency team were mobilised in the region.
He said, “Since the first moment, we have been on the streets following the situation closely. The Civil Defence and the Secretary of Infrastructure are fully mobilised, attending to events and ensuring the safety of the population.” He also urged citizens to contact the emergency service if needed.
Havan also released a statement to confirm that the Statue of Liberty was installed in 2020 and had the required technical certification under the Brazilian standard. It is important to note that Havan is the retail chain that owns the structure. Moreover, the company has clarified that only the upper portion of the replica was affected, and the concrete base remained intact. Therefore, it highlights the sheer force of the storm.
The company said, “The area was immediately isolated by the company after all safety protocols.” Moreover, he added that specialist teams were also deployed within hours to remove debris and secure the site.
The store continues to operate in the unaffected section. However, access near the fallen statue remained restricted.
Probe Launched Into Collapse of Statue of Liberty
The local authorities and Havan have confirmed that technical inspections and internal probes will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Moreover, the extreme weather is considered the primary factor behind the Statue of Liberty collapse. Still, officials said the investigation is going to assess whether any extra structural or environmental elements played a role.
Brazilian officials praised the coordination between municipal teams and state Civil Defence units. Moreover, they noted that quick action helped stabilise the situation and protect the public.
Wider Impact of the Storm
The storm that hit Guaíba was a part of a broader weather system affecting large areas of the Rio Grande do Sul. Moreover, other cities also reported damaged rooftops, fallen trees, temporary power outages and partially flooded streets due to heavy rainfall. Moreover, the National Institute of Meteorology kept storm warnings in place. It alerted residents about wind gusts that could reach up to 100 km/h.
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