In a dramatic incident captured on video, a towering replica of the Statue of Liberty has been toppled by fierce winds during a major storm in southern Brazil. The 24-metre-tall monument fell in the city of Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, on Monday, 15 December 2025.
The Moment of Collapse
According to Brazil's civil defence authority, Defesa Civil, winds reached speeds of approximately 55mph when the statue was knocked down. The monument was installed in 2020 outside a Havan department store. Footage taken from a nearby building shows the statue, located in a large car park near a McDonald's, leaning precariously before crashing to the ground.
While the statue itself was destroyed, its 11-metre-high concrete base remained intact. A white car was parked perilously close to the falling structure, with the statue's raised right arm appearing to come near the vehicle. It is unclear if the car sustained any damage.
Response and Investigation
Local media reported that no injuries were sustained in the incident. The area was swiftly cordoned off to allow Havan staff to begin clearing the debris. In a statement, the company confirmed: ‘The area was immediately isolated by the company, following all safety protocols.’
Havan added that debris removal commenced hours after the collapse and did not interrupt store operations. The retailer, which uses large replicas of the Statue of Liberty at stores across Brazil, stated the statue met its nationwide technical standards. An internal investigation has been launched to determine the precise cause of the failure.
A History of Replica Failures and Wider Storm Damage
This is not the first time a Havan-owned Liberty replica has succumbed to extreme weather. In 2021, a similar statue was toppled in Capao da Canoa during a cyclone, with wind speeds between 40mph and 50mph.
The collapse occurred as the state of Rio Grande do Sul experienced severe weather on Monday. The storm system caused significant damage across the region:
- Hail was reported in Tio Hugo.
- Roofs were damaged in Passo Fundo, Santa Cruz do Sul and Vera Cruz.
- Heavy rain led to flooding in Lajeado.
Despite the localised damage, authorities confirmed there were no widespread power or service outages in the state's metropolitan area.
The viral footage of the falling statue has sparked millions of views and lively discussion online. Social media users commented on the power of nature and the engineering challenges of such structures, with one noting it served as a stark reminder of ‘who is in charge’ when extreme weather strikes.
