‘Statue of Liberty’ falls down after powerful windstorm in southern Brazil; video goes viral

The 24-metre-tall replica stood in the parking area of a Havan retail store and collapsed. A widely shared video shows the statue slowly leaning under intense wind pressure before toppling over, even as traffic continues to move along a busy road nearby. The structure had been installed close to a fast-food outlet.

Watch the video:

🚨🇧🇷 Meanwhile in Brazil

Strong Winds just toppled this replica statue of Liberty. pic.twitter.com/DVlU0IZRUp

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) December 15, 2025

According to local outlet Mix Vale, the statue was owned by the Havan retail chain. The company said the space was almost empty at the time, which helped avert injuries. The footage shows the upper portion of the statue bending visibly before snapping and falling apart, with the statue’s head shattering on impact.

While the replica’s total height was around 114 feet, officials clarified that only the upper 24 metres (about 78 feet) were damaged. The concrete pedestal beneath it, measuring roughly 11 metres (36 feet), remained intact, Mix Vale reported.

In an official statement, Havan said the statue had been standing at the location since the store opened in 2020 and that it “had the required technical certification.” The company added that the area was immediately sealed off after the collapse and that specialised crews were brought in to clear the debris within hours.

Guaíba mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed there were no casualties and commended the swift response. He said municipal teams worked alongside state Civil Defence officials to secure the site and inspect nearby areas for possible damage.

The incident occurred around 3 pm, right as the storm peaked. Weather agencies recorded wind gusts exceeding 90 kmph in the region. Prior to the incident, the state Civil Defence had already issued severe weather alerts, warning residents about strong winds and heavy rainfall through emergency messages sent to mobile phones.

Although the affected section was closed off, the store continued operating in other areas. Havan said a technical assessment would be conducted to determine the precise cause of the collapse and to check whether factors other than extreme weather were involved.

The storm caused widespread disruption across Rio Grande do Sul. Several areas reported hailstorms, damaged rooftops, uprooted trees and brief power cuts. Heavy rain also led to partial flooding on some streets.

The National Institute of Meteorology kept storm warnings active, cautioning that wind speeds could reach up to 100 kmph. Meteorologists attributed the sudden weather shift to a cold front, noting that conditions are expected to ease from Tuesday, though scattered rain may persist.