Two influencers tragically drowned at a yacht party after reportedly declining life jackets, fearing they’d spoil their tans and selfies.
Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, were later discovered deceased after the overcrowded vessel capsized off Brazil’s coast near a perilous area known as the ‘Devil’s Throat’.
The captain informed police he’d been instructed to ferry six influencers back to shore on September 29, despite his boat’s capacity limit of five passengers.
Local media reported that a massive wave struck the vessel, and, overloaded, it began to sink. The captain told police he made every effort to save everyone onboard.
Police reported that neither of the two influencers had been wearing life jackets, even though one couldn’t swim.
São Vicente police commissioner Marcos Alexandre Alfino noted that some refused life jackets to take selfies, saying they interfered with tanning.
Beatriz’s body was discovered first, drifting out to sea and recovered by Brazil’s Maritime Firefighters. Aline’s body washed ashore a week later on Itaquitanduva Beach.
Authorities are now investigating whether the deaths were purely accidental or if they might have been preventable.
Commissioner Marcos Alexandre Alfino stated, “We are carefully evaluating all factors to determine if the fatalities were due to recklessness or negligence.”
Aline, a mother of one who couldn’t swim, shared her final photos on social media, posing on the boat in a bikini.
The survivors, identified by local media, include Vanessa Audrey da Silva, Camila Alves de Carvalho, Daniel Goncalves Ferreira, Gabriela Santos Lima, and Natan Cardoso Soares da Silva.
Vanessa later recounted that a group of friends and influencers had gathered for a luxury yacht party, enjoying a day of cruising and drinks.
Upon returning to shore, they split into two groups—one of which boarded the overloaded boat that ultimately sank.
Vanessa managed to secure a life jacket and survived by clinging to nearby rocks. “There was a moment in the water when no one could see anyone. I was fighting for my life,” she recalled.
Another survivor, Camila, shared that she clung to a life jacket, holding on for survival.
“There were very strong waves; we almost died. We didn’t know how to swim,” she said. “I knew I couldn’t last much longer. I injured my foot and swallowed a lot of water. We threw ourselves onto the rocks.”
