Lightning chips fingers, head of Rio’s Christ statue

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio de Janeiro’s famed Christ statue is being repaired after two fingers and its head were chipped during recent lightning storms.

Workers began examining the 125-foot Christ the Redeemer statue on Tuesday. After inspecting the damage up close, officials say it’ll take about four months to repair.

The statue, which is perched atop a mountain and offering spectacular views of Rio, will remain open to tourists.

The right thumb of the statue was chipped during a violent storm last week, and its right middle finger and a spot on its head were damaged last month.

Officials say they’ll place more lightning rods on the statue in an effort to prevent future damage.

The Christ was inaugurated in 1931 and underwent a $4 million renovation in 2010.