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Storm Topples Havan Statue of Liberty Replica in Guaíba, Brazil

Authorities opened a technical review following a site lockdown with no injuries reported.

Overview

  • The 24‑meter statue on an 11‑meter pedestal collapsed on December 15 during a violent storm that swept Rio Grande do Sul.
  • Civil defense reports logged gusts roughly between 80 and 100 km/h in nearby cities, including 96.3 km/h in Canoas and 83.3 km/h in Porto Alegre.
  • Witness video shows the structure falling into the store’s parking area, landing inches from a parked car without striking people or vehicles.
  • Havan said the area was immediately cordoned off, removal work was initiated, and the installation carries a Technical Responsibility Annotation (ART).
  • A technical inspection is planned to determine whether extreme winds alone caused the failure, as the event formed part of broader storm damage across the state.