Massive Statue of Liberty Replica Falls in Brazil Due to High Winds

In an unexpected event on Monday, December 15, a 24-metre replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed in southern Brazil, as fierce winds swept through the area. The structure, situated in the parking lot of a Havan retail outlet in Guaíba near Porto Alegre, fell without injuring anyone.

Footage circulating on social media shows the statue swaying perilously before it finally tipped over, while traffic nearby continued uninterrupted. Located next to a fast-food restaurant, the replica attracted considerable interest from passersby. Fortunately, the site was relatively deserted at the time, minimizing risks to the public.

Prior to the incident, local officials had issued a red alert, advising residents of severe winds. Civil defense personnel urged people to stay indoors, secure their homes, and unplug appliances as a safety measure. Nevertheless, the intense gusts proved powerful enough to topple the prominent structure.

The Havan retail chain, which oversees the statue, acknowledged the incident and pledged full cooperation with investigations to understand the cause. Authorities are set to conduct a technical evaluation to ascertain why the statue succumbed to the winds and to recommend preventive strategies for such occurrences in the future.

The statue's fall quickly surged as a trending topic online, notably in India, where the phrase "statue of liberty fall down" led Google Trends on Tuesday afternoon, with thousands exploring terms such as "Brazil statue of liberty" and "statue of liberty replica Brazil".

While strong winds have previously wreaked havoc in southern Brazil, the striking fall of this large Statue of Liberty replica has piqued global interest. This incident underscores the need for stringent safety protocols, particularly concerning large structures in areas susceptible to extreme weather.