A powerful storm struck southern Brazil on December 15, knocking down a 24-metre replica of the Statue of Liberty outside a Havan megastore in Guaíba, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Dramatic videos of the collapse, shared widely on social media, showed the structure slowly leaning before crashing into a parking lot.

The replica fell as strong winds exceeding 90 km/h swept through the region following severe weather warnings issued by Defesa Civil, Brazil’s civil defence authority. Despite the intensity of the storm, no injuries or property damage were reported.

The statue, installed in 2020, stood on an 11-metre concrete base, which remained intact after the collapse. Witnesses and store staff quickly moved parked vehicles away from the area, preventing damage.

Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed the incident on social media, stating wind speeds reached 80–90 km/h. He credited the rapid response by Havan employees, who immediately isolated the area.

"The area was immediately isolated by the company, following all safety protocols," Havan said in a statement. The retailer added that debris removal began within hours and that store operations were not interrupted.

Which areas were affected by the storm?

The storm was caused by a low-pressure system combined with a cold front, forming after days of extreme heat. Defesa Civil issued cell broadcast alerts, interrupting mobile phones—even on silent mode—to warn residents of strong winds, falling structures, and storm risks.

Other cities in Rio Grande do Sul were also affected. Hail was reported in Tio Hugo, while roof damage occurred in Passo Fundo, Santa Cruz do Sul, and Vera Cruz. Heavy rain caused localised flooding in Lajeado, though no major power or service outages were reported.

Did Havan follow safety protocols? Have they fallen before?

Havan said the Statue of Liberty replica met engineering and safety standards, including required technical certifications. The company has now launched an internal investigation to determine why the structure failed under extreme weather conditions.

The retailer operates similar replicas across Brazil as store landmarks. A similar incident in 2021 saw another Havan statue fall during a cyclone in Capão da Canoa, though that collapse also caused no injuries.