Dramatic Collapse: Storm Topples Iconic Statue of Liberty Replica in Southern Brazil
World News, 16 Dec 2025 (BNN Web Staff)
A massive replica of the Statue of Liberty, a signature landmark of Brazilian retail chain Havan, dramatically collapsed during a severe storm in Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, on Monday, December 15, 2025. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, thanks to quick action by store staff and bystanders who cleared the area.
The structure, standing approximately 35 meters (114 feet) tall including its base, featured a 24-meter (79-foot) upper statue section that toppled under gusts exceeding 90 km/h (56 mph). The 11-meter concrete pedestal remained intact. Installed in 2020 when the Guaíba megastore opened, it was one of dozens of similar replicas marking Havan locations across Brazil.
Viral videos captured the moment: the towering figure slowly leaning forward before crashing into the parking lot around 3 p.m. local time, shattering upon impact.
Video footage shows a forty-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty, located across from a McDonald's within the parking lot of a Havan in the Brazilian city of Guaíba, one of several dozen replicas of the statue located throughout the country, collapsing during a wind and… pic.twitter.com/kUid9lwA3b
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 15, 2025
Swift Response Prevents Harm
Havan quickly cordoned off the area, following safety protocols, and deployed teams to remove debris within hours. The store continued operating in unaffected sections.
Mayor Marcelo Maranata praised the rapid response:
“The area was immediately isolated… No one was hurt, and we worked with Civil Defence to secure the site.”
Bystanders and staff also moved parked vehicles just in time, avoiding further damage.
Havan stated the statue had required technical certifications (Anotação de Responsabilidade Técnica) and announced a technical inspection to determine the exact cause, while reviewing similar structures nationwide.
This isn’t the first such incident—a comparable Havan replica collapsed in 2021 during a cyclone in Capão da Canoa, also without injuries.
Broader Storm Impact Across Rio Grande do Sul
The cold front brought widespread disruption: hail in some areas, damaged roofs, fallen trees, power outages, and localized flooding. Civil Defence had issued severe weather alerts via mobile notifications, warning of winds up to 100 km/h and heavy rain.
Meteorologists attributed the intense gusts to the clash between heat and an advancing cold front. Conditions were expected to improve by Tuesday, though some rain lingered.
The event highlighted nature’s power, but also the effectiveness of preparedness in averting tragedy amid Brazil’s summer storm season.
