Lightning breaks finger off Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue

LIGHTNING has broken a finger off the right hand of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. SEE AMAZING PICTURES

Iconic ... The statue is symbol of Rio that overlooks the Brazilian city. Picture: AFP

LIGHTNING has broken a finger off the right hand of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Father Omar, rector of the shrine that holds the statue, told the Globo radio station that lightning frequently strikes the 30-metre-high statue, a symbol of Rio that overlooks the Brazilian city from the peak of the 700-metre Corcovado mountain.

Its right hand had been damaged sometime ago, but the finger finally broke off in a storm late Thursday.

Top shot ... The Christ the Redeemer lost it's right hand in the scary weather. Picture: AFP

"They say lightning does not strike the same spot twice. But with the Christ it does,'' the priest said on Friday.

A lightning rod and other equipment are in place "to protect the image,'' but they do not always do the trick, he said.

Exposed ... Lightning frequently strikes the 30-metre-high statue. Picture: AFP

Father Omar noted that people who work at the site are usually warned in advance by city officials about electrical storms so they can ensure the safety of the thousands of visitors at the site on top of Corcovado mountain.

Sacred ... The Christ the Redeemer statue is at the peak of the 700-metre Corcovado mountain. Picture: AFP

"I have already endured the situation of being at the Christ at a time of rain and a lot of lightning, and it is scary. But we have a plan to quickly take all visitors away from there,'' the priest said.

Iconic ... The statue is symbol of Rio that overlooks the Brazilian city. Picture: AFP

The statue is set to be refurbished next month, so this and other damage are set to be fixed.

Violent ... Lightning and rain across Rio de Janeiro flooded streets and knocked out power in some neighbourhoods. Picture: AP

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