Lightning strikes Rio's iconic Christ statue Lightning strikes on Rio de Janeiro's famous "Christ the Redeemer" statue have damaged the iconic figure's head and right hand. Although nothing too serious, some locals believe the bolts were nature's answer to the growing problem of pollution. Others were unconvinced, such as Rodrigo Carvalho who was visiting the statue: It was a natural event that happened. It's physics - I see it just as physics. The Christ statue is very high up and it's an attraction and during a very intense electrical storm the Christ ended up getting hit. I don't think there is anything strange about it or that it was supernatural. Repairs will get underway next month but engineers say they will add more lightning rods to prevent any further strikes - whether or not they are messages from Mother Nature.