"Not the Real One!" — Brazil's Giant Statue of Liberty Replica Collapses in Storm, Video Goes Viral

Brazil's Havan Statue of Liberty Replica Topples in Storm.

The Moment of Collapse: A Slow-Motion Drama Unfolds

                    On a stormy Monday afternoon, 15 December 2025, southern Brazil witnessed a jaw-dropping spectacle: a towering 24-metre replica of the Statue of Liberty, standing proudly outside a Havan megastore in Guaíba, slowly tilted and crashed to the ground under relentless wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h.

            This was not the world-famous original in New York Harbour — it was one of dozens of fibreglass replicas that have become the signature landmark of Brazil's Havan retail chain. Remarkably, no injuries were reported, thanks to swift action from store staff and passers-by who cleared the area just in time. The viral clips of the collapse have since sparked global fascination, a wave of memes, and renewed questions about structural safety during extreme weather. Right side- 3

The incident took place in the early afternoon in Guaíba, a city in the Porto Alegre metropolitan region of Rio Grande do Sul state. Footage circulating widely on social media captures an eerie sequence: the green-patina replica, torch aloft and tablet in hand, begins leaning forward as ferocious winds batter it. Cars in the car park can be seen driving away moments before the structure gives way, tumbling forward onto the tarmac. The head and crown shattered on impact, scattering fibreglass fragments across the lot.

Eyewitnesses described what one local called a slow, almost cinematic fall — one that gave just enough warning for people nearby to get clear. The base, an 11-metre pedestal, remained standing, which suggests only the upper section of the statue failed structurally.

Havan staff cordoned off the area immediately, and debris removal began within hours. The store continued trading in unaffected sections of the building.
The Storm Behind the Chaos


The collapse was triggered by a powerful low-pressure system combined with a cold front, which unleashed gusts of up to 93 km/h across Rio Grande do Sul. Brazil's civil defence authority had already issued red-level alerts via mobile broadcasts, warning of strong winds, hail, and potential structural damage.

The wider storm caused significant disruption across the region: fallen trees, roof damage, power cuts, and flooding were reported in several cities. In Guaíba alone, emergency services responded to numerous call-outs. The mayor praised the swift local response, noting that rapid isolation of the area prevented a far worse outcome.

Such storms are not unusual for the region — southern Brazil regularly experiences intense summer weather systems, a pattern many attribute to shifting climate conditions.

Havan's Statue of Liberty Legacy: Why Every Store Has a "Lady Liberty"


Havan, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Luciano Hang, operates more than 170 megastores across Brazil, each marked by its own giant Statue of Liberty replica. Including the base, the structures typically stand between 35 and 37 metres tall, making them visible landmarks from a considerable distance.

Hang adopted the symbol in the 1990s to represent ideals of freedom and opportunity, drawing inspiration from American-style commercial branding. The replicas are built from lightweight fibreglass for cost efficiency and ease of construction, and are engineered under Brazil's technical liability certification (ART) standards.

This is not the first such incident. In 2021, a similar replica in Capão da Canoa fell during a cyclone packing 70–80 km/h winds, again without injury. Following the Guaíba collapse, Havan announced internal investigations and inspections of its full network of replicas to assess structural vulnerabilities.
A Global Viral Sensation.

Footage of the fall spread rapidly online, racking up millions of views within hours. Many international headlines felt the need to clarify: this was not the original statue in New York.

Social media reaction blended humour with broader commentary — jokes, memes overlaid with political references, and more serious discussion around the use of fibreglass structures in high-wind zones and the role of intensifying storms linked to climate change. International outlets picked up the story too, largely noting relief that no one was hurt.

What Happens Next?


Havan has said it will investigate the cause — most likely wind load exceeding the structure's design limits — before deciding whether to rebuild. Engineering experts have suggested that reinforcements, such as internal steel framing, could help prevent similar failures at other locations in future.

For residents of Guaíba, the statue had been a popular photo spot since the store opened in 2020, and its absence leaves a visible gap in the local skyline. Still, the incident is being held up as an example of how swift, sensible preparedness can prevent tragedy even when extreme weather strikes without much warning.

In a year marked by extreme weather events worldwide, the fall of a fibreglass "Lady Liberty" in southern Brazil is a small but striking reminder that even symbols built to represent endurance are not immune to nature's force.

Brazil's Iconic Havan Statue of Liberty Replica Topples in Fierce Storm – Dramatic Collapse Caught on Camera.

                    On a stormy Monday afternoon, December 15, 2025, southern Brazil witnessed a jaw-dropping spectacle: a towering 24-meter replica of the Statue of Liberty, proudly standing outside a Havan megastore in Guaíba, slowly tilted and crashed to the ground under relentless wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h.

No, this wasn't the world-famous original in New York Harbor – it was one of dozens of fiberglass replicas that have become the signature landmark of Brazil's Havan retail chain. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, thanks to swift action by store staff and passersby who cleared the area just in time. But the viral videos of the collapse have sparked global fascination, memes, and questions about structural safety in extreme weather.

The Moment of Collapse: A Slow-Motion Drama Unfolds

The incident occurred around mid-afternoon in Guaíba, a city in the Porto Alegre metropolitan region of Rio Grande do Sul state. Videos circulating widely on social media capture the eerie sequence: the green-patina replica, torch aloft and tablet in hand, starts leaning forward as ferocious winds batter it. Cars in the parking lot frantically drive away moments before the structure gives way, tumbling face-first into the asphalt. The head and crown shatter on impact, scattering fiberglass fragments across the lot. Right side-

Eyewitness accounts describe a "slow-motion fall" that gave just enough warning for evacuation. "It was like watching a movie," one local told reporters. The base – an 11-meter pedestal – remained standing, underscoring that only the upper statue section failed.

Havan staff immediately cordoned off the area, and debris removal began within hours. The store continued operations in unaffected sections.

The Storm Behind the Chaos: Extreme Weather Hits Southern Brazil

The collapse was triggered by a powerful low-pressure system combined with a cold front, unleashing gusts up to 93 km/h across Rio Grande do Sul. Brazil's Defesa Civil had issued red-level alerts via cell broadcasts, warning of strong winds, hail, and potential structural damage.

The storm caused widespread havoc: fallen trees, roof damage, power outages, and flooding in multiple cities. In Guaíba alone, emergency teams responded to numerous calls. Mayor Marcelo Maranata praised the quick response: "Winds reached 80-90 km/h, but rapid isolation prevented any tragedy."

This wasn't an isolated event – southern Brazil frequently faces intense summer storms, exacerbated by climate patterns.

Havan's Statue Legacy: Why Every Store Has a Lady Liberty

Havan, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Luciano Hang, boasts over 170 megastores across Brazil, each marked by a giant Statue of Liberty replica. Total height: 35-37 meters (including base), making them visible landmarks from afar.

Hang, a vocal supporter of American-style capitalism, adopted the symbol in the 1990s to represent "freedom and opportunity." Made of lightweight fiberglass for cost and ease, these replicas are engineered with Anotação de Responsabilidade Técnica (ART) certifications.

This isn't the first tumble: In 2021, a similar statue in Capão da Canoa fell during a cyclone with 70-80 km/h winds – again, no injuries.

Post-incident, Havan announced internal investigations and inspections of all replicas to assess vulnerabilities.

Global Viral Sensation: Memes, Symbolism, and Reactions

The videos exploded online, amassing millions of views within hours. Headlines playfully clarified: "Not the one in New York!"

Social media buzzed with humor and symbolism:

• "Foreshadowing?" quipped some, tying it to global events.
• "Brazil had enough," joked others.
• Memes superimposed the fall with political commentary.

Serious discussions emerged on fiberglass structures in high-wind zones and climate change intensifying storms.

International outlets from Reuters to BBC covered it, marveling at the drama and relief over zero casualties.

Aftermath and Future: Rebuild or Rethink?

Havan vowed to evaluate causes – likely wind load exceeding design limits – and decide on rebuilding. Engineering experts suggest reinforcements like internal steel framing could prevent future failures.

For Guaíba residents, the statue was a beloved photo spot since the store's 2020 opening. Its absence leaves a void, but the incident highlights preparedness saving lives.

In a year of extreme weather worldwide, this serves as a reminder: even symbols of enduring freedom can bow to nature's fury.

FAQ

Q1: Was this the real Statue of Liberty in New York? No. This was a 24-metre fibreglass replica outside a Havan store in Guaíba, Brazil — one of more than 170 similar statues across the country's Havan retail chain.

Q2: Was anyone hurt when the statue collapsed? No injuries were reported. Store staff and members of the public cleared the area before the structure fell.

Q3: What caused the statue to fall? A powerful storm system brought wind gusts of up to 93 km/h to Rio Grande do Sul state, which is believed to have exceeded the structure's wind load design limits.

Q4: Has this happened before with a Havan statue? Yes. A similar replica in Capão da Canoa collapsed during a cyclone in 2021, also without any injuries.

Q5: Will Havan rebuild the Guaíba statue? Havan has announced it will investigate the cause of the collapse and inspect its full network of statues before making a decision on rebuilding, with engineers suggesting reinforcements such as internal steel framing.

Q6: Why does every Havan store have a Statue of Liberty replica? Founder Luciano Hang introduced the statues in the 1990s as a symbol of freedom and opportunity, inspired by American-style capitalism, and they have since become the chain's signature branding feature. Right side-

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