Kathrine Frich
Landmarks are often built to withstand time, weather and attention.
But extreme conditions can expose vulnerabilities even in the most recognisable structures.
Over recent days, severe weather has disrupted daily life in several parts of the world. One dramatic incident quickly spread across social media, sparking confusion far beyond its location.
Winds bring collapse
A 24-metre replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed during intense wind conditions in southern Brazil.
Gusts of up to 90km per hour swept through the city of Guaíba in Rio Grande do Sul state on Monday.
Video shared online showed the statue rocking violently before its upper section broke free and crashed head-first into a nearby car park.
The structure came to rest on its crown as vehicles hurriedly moved away, though one car remained parked close to the base.
The statue had been installed outside a retail site and stood on an 11-metre concrete base, which authorities later confirmed remained intact.
No injuries reported
Local officials said no one was hurt in the incident. Civil defence agencies had issued a red weather alert ahead of the storm, urging residents to stay indoors, secure loose objects and avoid exposed areas.
Mayor Marcelo Maranata praised store employees and emergency teams for acting quickly to secure the area once the structure fell.
Cleanup crews began clearing debris shortly after conditions improved.
Havan, the company responsible for the replica, said an investigation would be carried out to determine why the structure failed.
It added that the statue had met engineering and technical standards when installed in 2020.
Storm damage spreads
The storm system brought widespread disruption across parts of Rio Grande do Sul. Local reports cited hail, roof damage, fallen trees and flooding in several areas.
The dramatic footage also caused confusion online. Some social media users initially believed the original Statue of Liberty in New York had collapsed.
One user wrote: “As a New Yorker, this was WILD TO WATCH.”
The incident came as the UK also faced severe weather. During Storm Bram, the Met Office issued amber warnings for strong and disruptive winds, forecasting gusts of up to 90mph in some areas.
Sources: Local authorities in Rio Grande do Sul, Express.
