In a tragic tale of vanity and recklessness, two Brazilian social media influencers, Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, lost their lives after refusing to wear life jackets on an overcrowded speedboat off the Brazilian coast. The incident took place near the dangerous waters of Devil’s Throat on the Iguazu River, where the women had been returning to shore from a yacht party on September 29. According to Brazilian police, the influencers declined life jackets out of concern that the bulky safety gear would interfere with their selfies and tanning.
Eyewitness reports and testimony from the boat’s captain reveal a deeply troubling scene. According to Commissioner Marcos Alexandra Alfino, “Some didn’t want to put [life jackets] on because they were taking selfies… they said that they get in the way of their tanning.” In a case that exemplifies the consequences of putting appearance over safety, the influencers’ decision to forego life preservers was a fatal one.
After a day of celebrating on a luxury yacht off the coast of São Paulo, the two women and four other influencers boarded a speedboat for the trip back to shore. Already overloaded with one passenger beyond its five-person capacity, the vessel faced rough waters that it was ill-equipped to handle. As powerful waves flooded the boat, it capsized, throwing all six passengers into the water.
The captain, who had reportedly pleaded with the women to wear life jackets, did everything he could to save his passengers but struggled as Amorim and Faria refused safety gear. Tragically, Faria’s body was discovered by the Brazilian Maritime Firefighters, having drifted out to sea, while Amorim’s body washed ashore a week later. Heartbreaking photos on Amorim’s social media feed show her posing on the yacht shortly before the incident, underscoring the fragile line between life and death that influencers often walk in pursuit of the perfect shot.
One of the five survivors, Vanessa Audrey da Silva, recounted the chaotic and terrifying experience to local outlets. Describing the scene as the boat descended, she said, “There was a moment in the water when no one could see anyone. I was fighting for my life.” Unlike her friends, da Silva had the presence of mind to strap on a life jacket and clung to a nearby rock as the waters swirled around her, saving her from the tragedy that claimed Amorim and Faria.
The incident has sparked conversations in Brazil and beyond about the dangers of vanity culture on social media. While local authorities continue investigating the accident, Commissioner Alfino emphasized that the circumstances are being examined to determine whether this was a case of recklessness or outright negligence.
@dailymail Two influencers refused to wear life jackets to a yacht party before drowning in a tragic accident, cops have revealed. Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, were found dead on Brazil's coast known as the Devil's Throat. #brazil #influencers #swimming #boats ♬ stellar (Sped Up) – .diedlonely & énouement
In a world increasingly focused on instant gratification and image, this avoidable tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of prioritizing social media “clout” over personal safety. As Commissioner Alfino indicated, both the captain and survivors were fully aware of the risks of Devil’s Throat, and the lifejackets were readily available. In choosing not to wear them, Amorim and Faria demonstrated a troubling disregard for safety in favor of maintaining their online image.
For many, these influencers’ stories highlight a disturbing trend where life-threatening decisions are made in service to a fleeting online persona. This tragic incident is not just a story of individual decisions gone wrong, but a cautionary tale about a culture where social media influence is often prioritized over common sense and, in this case, life itself.