What began as a routine stormy day in southern Brazil on December 15 quickly turned dramatic when a towering replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed outside a Havan megastore in Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul. The 24-metre-tall structure, a familiar landmark in the area, was brought down by powerful winds, sparking widespread attention after videos of the incident went viral on social media.
Eyewitness videos show the massive statue slowly tilting forward before crashing into the store’s parking lot, creating scenes that many online users described as surreal and cinematic. The collapse occurred as the region was battered by severe weather, with wind speeds reported to be between 80 kmph and 90 kmph.
Strong winds and prior weather warnings
According to local weather authorities, parts of Rio Grande do Sul were already under alert due to an intense weather system. Residents had been warned of strong winds, falling objects and unstable structures. Despite these advisories, the sheer force of the storm caught many by surprise.
Meteorologists later explained that the extreme conditions were triggered by a clash between unusually high temperatures and a sudden cold front moving through the region. This combination led to violent gusts that proved too much for several structures, including the Statue of Liberty replica at Guaíba.
The statue, installed in 2020, stood atop an 11-metre base. While the replica itself collapsed, officials confirmed that the base remained intact, preventing further structural damage to the surroundings.
Narrow escape with no injuries reported
The biggest relief for authorities and residents alike was that no one was injured in the incident. At the time of the collapse, the parking lot was largely empty. Reports indicate that a few people nearby acted quickly and moved vehicles away after noticing the statue beginning to sway, which helped avoid damage to parked cars.
Guaíba mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed the incident through social media posts and reassured residents that there were no casualties. He also praised the prompt response of Havan staff, who immediately cordoned off the area to prevent anyone from approaching the debris.
Havan later stated that it followed all safety protocols after the collapse and began clearing the debris within hours. Importantly, the company said the store itself remained open and operations were not disrupted.
Widespread impact of severe weather
The collapse of the statue was part of a broader pattern of weather-related damage across Rio Grande do Sul on the same day. The state’s civil defence agency, Defesa Civil, issued emergency alerts directly to residents’ mobile phones, overriding silent mode settings to ensure the warnings were seen.
People were advised to stay indoors and avoid open areas, trees, hoardings and tall structures that could pose risks during high winds. Several towns reported weather-related damage. Tio Hugo experienced hailstorms, while Passo Fundo, Santa Cruz do Sul and Vera Cruz reported roof damage. In Lajeado, heavy rainfall led to localised flooding, though officials said the situation remained largely under control.
Cleanup teams were deployed across affected areas to remove fallen branches, debris and damaged materials from roads and public spaces.
Questions over structural safety
Havan is known across Brazil for placing large replicas of the Statue of Liberty outside many of its megastores, branding them as symbols of freedom and commerce. The company has maintained that all such structures are built with proper engineering approvals and in compliance with technical standards.
Following the Guaíba incident, however, Havan announced that it has launched an internal investigation to determine why the statue failed under the storm conditions. Engineers are also reportedly inspecting similar statues at other locations to ensure their structural safety.
This is not the first time a Havan statue has collapsed. In 2021, another Statue of Liberty replica outside a Havan store in Capão da Canoa fell during a cyclone. That incident, too, did not result in injuries.
Conclusion
While the dramatic collapse of the Statue of Liberty replica in Guaíba ended without loss of life, it has reignited discussions about preparedness and safety amid increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. As extreme storms become more frequent and intense, authorities and private establishments alike are being urged to reassess the resilience of large structures. The Guaíba incident stands as a stark reminder of nature’s power and the importance of vigilance to prevent potential tragedies.