Typhoon Trami claims another 'victim' as giant Goddess of Mercy statue topples face-down in Okinawa

Typhoon Trami pummelled Japan and its outlying islands including Okinawa over the weekend, killing four and injuring more than 120 people. 

Turns out, even the Goddess of Mercy was no match for the powerful storm.

A photo that began circulating on Sunday (Sept 30) showed the 38-metre tall (about 8 stories high) Buddhist statue laying broken, face-down on the ground.

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According to Sinchew Daily, the Kannon Bodhisattva (as the Goddess of Mercy is known in Japan) was officially unveiled only earlier this year at its current location in Okinawa's South East Botanical Gardens, after being relocated from Fukuoka.

Here's what it looked like in its former glory:

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Online, users on Reddit had a field day discussing the unfortunate "face-plant".

The fall was even more regrettable, given that the structure had reportedly been reinforced with steel bars with the exact intention of protecting it from natural calamities.

Damages to the gold leaf-covered statue are estimated to hover around the 100 million yen (S$1.2 million) mark. But knowing how well-known the Japanese are for their efficiency, we're sure this Goddess will be back upright in no time. 

candicec@sph.com.sg