70ft Lionel Messi Statue Removed in India Over Safety Concerns

A 70ft statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata, West Bengal, has been taken down following safety concerns. The giant monument, which was erected in December during a tour celebrating the Argentine star, was removed after reports emerged that it was swaying in the wind.

Following complaints from local residents, engineers from the Public Works Department inspected the site and determined that the structural integrity of the monument was severely compromised. The statue was located near a busy road and a subway station, prompting immediate action to prevent potential accidents.

State legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee confirmed that the statue was deemed unsafe. The structure, made of iron and fibreglass, has now been dismantled and moved into the custody of the public works department. There has been no official announcement regarding where, or if, the statue will be re-erected.