Worker, 21, killed after floating Christmas tree collapses during storm

One person has been killed and two others were injured after a giant Christmas tree collapsed during a thunderstorm in Brazil.

Workers were setting up a floating Christms tree on the water at Lagoa de Aractiba in Maricá, a municipality in Rio de Janeiro, when it was blown over by destructive winds on December 16.

One worker died from his injuries in hospital after the display broke apart and collapsed into the water.

READ MORE: Second earthquake hits Vanuatu as death toll rises

Local media filming the set-up captured the moment the festive attraction was destroyed by the severe thunderstorm.

Mayor of Maricá Fabiano Horta confirmed 21-year-old man Vinicius dos Santos Abreu was killed in the collapse and two others were left with non-life threatening injuries.

Horta decreed two days of official mourning following Abreu's death.

"Out of respect for the victim, all Christmas Lights programming is suspended and is expected to return only on Thursday, December 19th," he wrote on X.

Horta said a heavy rain warning had been issued by Civil Defence officials about 3.45pm that day and the company hired to assemble the tree had started to evacuate.

READ MORE: Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect charged with seventh murder

However the strong winds brought down the structure in a matter of seconds.

"I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the employee who lost his life in this tragedy," the mayor added.

The city of Maricá also confirmed the death with a statement shared on its website and it was described as a "tragic accident".

The other two injured workers have since been discharged from hospital.

Local police are investigating the incident.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.