A towering replica of the iconic Statue of Liberty met a dramatic end in Brazil, collapsing during a fierce storm. The incident, which was captured on video and spread like wildfire across social media platforms, has captured global attention.
The Storm That Toppled a Giant
On 15 December, severe weather conditions battered the city of Guaiba, located in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul metropolitan region. Powerful winds, estimated to be between 80 to 90 km/h, proved too much for a 79-foot-tall (24-metre) Statue of Liberty replica. The structure, which had stood since 2020 in the parking area of a Havan megastore, lost its balance and came crashing down. The entire event was recorded, with one particularly gripping video amassing over 5 million views online.
Swift Response and Aftermath
Thankfully, the collapse did not result in any injuries or damage to nearby vehicles. This was largely due to the quick actions of Havan staff and people in the vicinity, who swiftly secured the area and moved vehicles to safety. Guaiba Mayor Marcelo Maranata publicly praised the rapid response of the store employees and the local Civil Defense team, noting their efforts were crucial in preventing harm during the dangerous weather.
While the statue itself was destroyed, its 11-metre concrete base remained intact. Clean-up operations began within hours, and the Havan store managed to continue its normal business without any major disruption. The fallen statue had been a notable local landmark, part of the Brazilian retail chain's signature practice of installing large Liberty replicas outside its stores.
Investigation and Social Media Frenzy
In the wake of the collapse, Havan stated that all its Statue of Liberty replicas across Brazil comply with technical and safety standards and possess proper engineering approvals. The company has initiated an internal investigation to determine the exact cause of the failure. This incident marks the second time a Havan statue has collapsed, following a similar event during a cyclone in Capao da Canoa in 2021.
Meanwhile, social media users had a field day with the viral footage. Reactions ranged from symbolic interpretations of the fall to humorous observations about its setting. "Sums up the world at the moment," one user commented. Many pointed out the ironically American scene of the statue falling next to a McDonald's outlet. "Statue of Liberty dropping in front of a McDonald’s. Iconic," wrote another. A more entrepreneurial user even joked about "Selling souvenirs of fallen statue: $50."
