Viral Video: Brazil’s Statue of Liberty Replica Toppled by 90 km/h Storm Winds in Guaíba | Fact Check
The monumental replica of the Statue of Liberty is down. In a shocking scene captured on video that has since gone viral, a towering Statue of Liberty replica located outside a Havan megastore in Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was toppled by violent winds on Monday afternoon. The dramatic statue of liberty collapse, which immediately sparked global social media chatter, resulted in no injuries, thanks to timely storm warnings and swift action by staff.
A Fact Check for Global Readers: The Original Statue Remains Standing
To address global confusion, it is confirmed that the original Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor remains untouched. The structure that fell was the approximately 24-meter-tall fiberglass replica used as an iconic visual marker for the Brazilian retail chain, Havan, one of many such structures across the country. Initial frantic searches using terms like “statue of liberty fell down” were quickly clarified as footage of the Brazil incident spread.
Severe Storm Delivers Final Blow to Havan Landmark
The collapse occurred around 3 p.m. local time as a powerful low-pressure system and cold front swept across southern Brazil. Local civil defence authorities (Defesa Civil) had issued a red alert, warning of severe winds and advising residents to stay indoors.
Meteorological data confirmed that the region experienced wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h (about 56 mph). Eyewitness video footage, now trending under “statue of liberty tilt and topple” and “brazil statue of liberty news“, shows the large structure swaying dangerously under the wind’s immense pressure before snapping at its base and crashing into the store’s parking lot.
“The area was immediately isolated by the company, following all safety protocols,” Havan said in an official statement, confirming that the quick response from employees helped avert any potential tragedy in the usually busy car park.
🔥 VIRAL: The Statue of Liberty has fallen!
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) December 16, 2025
A 24m replica of the iconic monument collapsed in Guaíba, Brazil, after being battered by 90km/h storm winds. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. #StatueOfLibertyCollapse #BrazilStorm #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/suRoHfO5bx
The Aftermath: No Casualties, Investigation Launched
The most crucial detail confirmed by Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata is the absence of casualties. The area was reportedly almost empty at the moment of impact, and quick-thinking staff and onlookers moved nearby vehicles out of harm’s way. While the 24-meter statue portion was entirely destroyed, initial reports indicate the 11-meter concrete pedestal it stood upon remained intact.
- Safety Protocol: Havan staff immediately sealed off the danger zone.
- Debris Removal: Teams were dispatched within hours to begin the debris removal process.
- Store Operations: The main Havan megastore remained open and operational, with no disruption to its services.
Questions Over Structural Integrity and Past Incidents
While the primary cause is attributed to the extreme weather event, the incident has raised questions about the durability of the widely-known Havan statues. The company stated that the Guaíba replica, installed in 2020, met all technical and engineering standards and had the required certification.
However, this is not the first such event. An internal probe has been launched to determine if any factors beyond the gale-force winds contributed to the failure. This investigation will also likely assess the structural resilience of Havan’s other statue of liberty replica brazil structures, especially considering a similar incident occurred in 2021 in Capão da Canoa during a cyclone with lower wind speeds.
The collapse serves as a stark reminder of the escalating risks posed by severe atmospheric instability in the Rio Grande do Sul region, which has been increasingly prone to extreme weather events.
