The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro has been struck by lightning during a violent storm.

Officials confirmed on Friday the right thumb suffered damaged from the storm, The Independent reports.

“Incredible” pictures captured the moment lightning hit the 125 ft (38 metre) statue on Thursday evening.

The powerful lightning and rain storm swept across the city, flooding streets and knocking out power in some neighbourhoods.

The middle finger of the right hand had also been chipped during a storm last month. The statue towers on a mountain top and is often hit by lighting strikes.

According to The Independent, the statue underwent a $4 million (£243, 600) renovation in 2010 to repair badly eroded parts of its face and hands.

The statue is managed by the Archdiocese of Rio.

Father Omar Raposo told Globo Radio repairs will soon be carried out. He says the church has a stock of the same stone originally used to build the statue, which was erected in 1931.