Brazil: 24-meter-tall Statue of Liberty collapses in storm.

A replica of the Statue of Liberty in Guaíba, Brazil, collapsed due to a severe storm with winds of 88 km/h; fortunately, there were no casualties.

The massive storm toppled the iconic landmark.

A replica of the Statue of Liberty, approximately 24 meters tall, collapsed in the city of Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, after a strong storm swept through the area on the afternoon of December 15 (local time). The incident caused no casualties.

According to authorities, the storm was accompanied by wind gusts of up to 88 km/h. The incident occurred at approximately 3 PM in the parking lot of a Havan retail supermarket. Videos circulating on social media show the statue gradually tilting before collapsing to the ground.

The powerful impact shattered the statue's head, while the approximately 11-meter-tall pedestal remained intact. The statue had been installed at the site since 2020.

Widespread damage

Brazil's Civil Defense agency said it issued a statewide severe weather warning before the storm hit. The storm not only toppled the statue but also caused widespread power outages, fallen trees, damaged roofs, and hail. Flooding was also reported in nearby areas, including the city of Lajeado.

Post-disaster recovery efforts

Representatives from Havan, the company that owns the statue, announced that the area where the incident occurred has been cordoned off for safety. Specialized teams have been deployed to the scene to clean up and assess the safety level.

Mr. Marcelo Maranata, Mayor of Guaíba, confirmed that there were no casualties. He also praised the timely coordination of the authorities in handling the incident and mitigating the consequences of the storm.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/brazil-tuong-nu-than-tu-do-cao-24m-do-sap-trong-bao-3315216.html