New York / Brazil – December 16, 2025 — A viral online video claimed that the world-famous Statue of Liberty in New York “fell down.” What actually happened was that a large replica of the Statue of Liberty in Brazil toppled during a strong storm.
Statue of Liberty Replica Collapses in Brazil
A dramatic storm with winds up to 90 km/h hit the city of Guaíba in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, causing a 24-metre-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty to topple outside a Havan megastore. The structure was installed in 2020 and was a well-known landmark in the area. Footage shared online shows the statue slowly leaning and then crashing into the parking lot, but no one was hurt.
Is the Original Statue of Liberty Safe?
The original Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island, New York Harbor, remains fully standing and undamaged. There are no credible reports from official sources that the real statue in the United States fell or collapsed.
The viral claims online were caused by misunderstanding videos of a replica (copy) of the statue, not the real one.
Why Did the Replica Fall?
The collapse happened due to extreme weather conditions. The local civil defence had issued red alerts before the storm, warning residents to stay indoors and secure their property. The replica was built on an 11-metre concrete base, which remained intact, but the statue itself could not withstand the strong winds. Authorities and the store quickly responded to secure the area and clear debris.
A technical assessment will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to recommend safety improvements for similar structures in the future. The supermarket continued operating in unaffected areas, and the incident did not cause any major disruptions
What Really Happened: Brazil Replica Collapsed
A 24–40 metre tall replica of the Statue of Liberty in Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil was toppled by strong wind and heavy storm conditions on December 15, 2025. A technical assessment will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to recommend safety improvements for similar structures in the future. The supermarket continued operating in unaffected areas, and the incident did not cause any major disruptions
- The bronze-like statue stood outside a Havan retail store in Brazil.
- Severe wind speeds, reaching about 80–90 km/h, caused the statue to tilt and collapse.
- No one was injured, and local officials confirmed the collapse.
- The base remained standing after the statue’s figure fell.
This video went viral because viewers mistakenly thought it showed the real Statue of Liberty in New York, which is false.
WATCH: Replica of the Statue of Liberty topples due to strong winds in Guaíba, Brazil pic.twitter.com/pMxN7KLu5y
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 15, 2025
Why People Thought the Real Statue Fell
Several reasons contributed to the confusion:
- Viral Clips: Short videos without context make it look like a famous landmark collapsed.
- Misinterpretation: Many readers skipped the location information (Brazil vs. USA).
- Name Confusion: The public sees “Statue of Liberty” and assumes it’s the iconic US monument.
Statue of Liberty Did NOT Fall Down
The Statue of Liberty in New York has NOT fallen down. The viral news and video you may have seen are about a replica statue in Brazil that collapsed during a storm. The real Statue of Liberty is completely safe and still standing tall in New York. Always double-check facts before believing or sharing news.
