114-Foot Statue of Liberty Replica Topples amid Strong Gusty Winds and Heavy Storms

A 114-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed in southern Brazil on Monday, Dec. 15, as the region dealt with intense weather conditions.

The towering replica—installed above a parking lot at Brazilian retailer Havan in Guaíba, in Rio Grande do Sul—fell from its pedestal around 3 p.m. local time, according to StringersHub and Newsweek.

Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata said the broader metropolitan area had been hit with winds estimated at roughly 50 to 56 mph, which contributed to the structure’s failure, Newsweek reported.

Video from the scene showed the statue section bending under sustained gusts while the base stayed upright. Moments later, the figure pitched forward and crashed into the lot. The torch, raised arm, and crowned head broke apart on impact as vehicles nearby quickly moved to safety.

No injuries were reported, according to StringersHub. Emergency crews soon blocked off the area, and the debris was cleared within hours.

“Since the first moment, we’ve been on the streets following the situation closely,” Maranata wrote in a Facebook post (translated). He added that Civil Defense and the city’s infrastructure teams were mobilized to respond to incidents and protect residents.

Authorities also reported additional storm-related damage and injuries across the region, Newsweek said. A heavy-rain warning was in effect through Wednesday, Dec. 17, with risks including power outages, falling branches, flooding, and lightning, according to Brazil’s national weather service, INMET.

Defesa Civil urged residents to use extra caution—especially on the roads—advising drivers to slow down and avoid flooded areas, warning that fast-moving water can carry off both people and vehicles, according to Newsweek.

The replica was commissioned by Havan and installed in 2020 when the retailer opened the location, StringersHub reported.