Two influencers, Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, tragically drowned when their overcrowded party boat sank off the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, on September 29. Police revealed that the women refused life jackets because they believed the safety gear would ruin their selfies.
The incident occurred in an area known as the Devil’s Throat, where a wave reportedly struck the boat. São Vicente police commissioner Marcos Alexandre Alfino stated that some passengers chose not to wear life jackets, citing concerns that they would hinder their tanning and social media photographs.
The tragic revelations came to light following inquiries with the boat’s captain, one of five survivors. He disclosed that he was ordered to take six influencers back to shore despite the vessel’s maximum capacity being five passengers. The captain noted that the boat was too heavy to save once the wave hit.
Authorities are now investigating whether the women’s deaths resulted from recklessness or negligence. Commissioner Alfino emphasised that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fatalities.
Five other passengers—Vanessa Audrey da Silva, Camila Alves de Carvalho, Daniel Gonçalves Ferreira, Gabriela Santos Lima, and Natan Cardoso Soares da Silva—were rescued shortly after the accident. Beatriz’s body was recovered at sea, while Aline’s body was found on a beach by rescuers on October 4.
Survivor Vanessa recounted how the group had gathered to party on the luxury yacht and spent the day drinking. She wore a life jacket and survived by clinging to rocks after the boat capsized.
“There was a moment in the water when no one could see anyone. I was fighting for life,” she said. Another survivor, Camila, shared her harrowing experience of nearly drowning amid the chaos, saying, “There were powerful waves, we almost died. We didn’t know how to swim.”
The Devil’s Throat region is known for its dangerous currents and attracts surfers, but its unpredictable waves pose significant risks.
