Viral Video: 79-Foot Havan Statue Of Liberty Collapses In Southern Brazil After Severe Storm; Probe On | World News

A powerful storm system hit southern Brazil on Monday, December 15, destroying the 24-meter-tall (79 feet) replica of the Statue of Liberty outside the Havan megastore in Guaiba, in Rio Grande do Sul state. Crime scene footage shows the massive structure crashing dramatically into an empty parking lot.

Defesa Civil, Brazil’s civil defense agency, estimated that the speed of strong winds in the region exceeded 90 km per hour. Several videos showing the statue’s slow tilt and fall immediately went viral on all social media platforms.

Immediate Action Prevents Losses

The collapsed structure, whose installation was completed in 2020 and certified by engineers, was connected to an 11-meter concrete foundation that did not break when it fell.

Guaiba Mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed the incident and the strong wind blowing between 80 and 90 km per hour in his statement online. Most importantly, fast-acting passersby and store employees moved nearby cars just before the structure came loose, meaning no injuries or property damage occurred.

Retailer Havan released a statement confirming that the area was immediately isolated by its staff in accordance with safety protocols and debris removal began within hours. The normal operation of the store was not disrupted.

Internal Investigation Launched Despite Certificate

Havan emphasized that many replicas of the Statue of Liberty built throughout Brazil were built and certified according to strict technical and engineering parameters. However, the company announced that an internal investigation has begun to determine what factors contributed to this structure’s inability to withstand these extreme weather conditions.

Warnings Sent When a Storm Hits

The powerful storm was powered by intense heat colliding with an advancing cold front. Defesa Civil issued urgent emergency alerts via cell broadcast, the system that sends critical messages directly to cell phones, to warn Rio Grande do Sul residents of high winds, risk of falling structures and to avoid open areas.

The rest of the state also experienced severe weather:

• Hail was reported at Tio Hugo.
• Damage to roofs occurred in Passo Fundo, Santa Cruz do Sul and Vera Cruz.

Heavy rain caused localized flooding in Lajeado. City crews went out and cleared debris, and officials reported there were no widespread power or service outages in the metro area.

Past Event Reminded

Large replicas of the Statue of Liberty are one of the recognizable features of Havan stores. This is not the first time a replica of one of these structures has been affected by extreme weather conditions.

In 2021, such a replica collapsed in Capao da Canoa during a hurricane with winds of 70 to 80 km per hour, causing only property damage.

Following Guaiba’s collapse, officials reiterated their sentiment that when it comes to very tall structures during severe storms, the public demands early warnings and rapid response to safety measures as primary factors to prevent a tragic outcome in this latest incident.

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