: Rio de Janeiro's landmark Christ the Redeemer statue was struck by lightning during a powerful electric storm Thursday (January 16) night.
The lightning strike damaged the tip of the thumb on the right hand of the statue.
Damage could also be seen on the index finger of the same hand which was caused by a different lightning strike just last month.
Repairs are expected to be made in February.
According to the national weather service the statue is struck an average of six times per year.
The weather service also said Thursday's storm produced some 40,000 lighting strikes throughout the state of Rio de Janeiro.
