The Statue of Liberty replica collapsed and was destroyed as a result of severe storm winds.
The incident did not take place in New York, United States, but in the southern Brazilian city of Guaíba. According to local authorities and the company that owns the statue, no loss of life was reported.
The statue, standing approximately 40 metres (114 feet) tall, fell to the ground during a spell of intense winds and heavy rainfall that affected southern Brazil. It was installed in the parking area of a mega store belonging to the retail chain Havan, near a fast food outlet.
Viral footage shows the structure leaning to one side under pressure from strong winds before suddenly collapsing.
Company officials said that only the upper portion of the statue, measuring around 24 metres, sustained damage, while the 11-metre-high base remained intact. The statue had been installed in 2020 at the time of the store’s inauguration.
The original Statue of Liberty in the United States holds a distinct place in American history. Each year, millions of tourists visit Liberty Island in Lower Manhattan, New York, to view the monument. The island is also known by the name “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
