Two social media influencers tragically drowned after deciding against wearing lifejackets on an overcrowded boat, which subsequently sank.
Authorities report that Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, perished when a party yacht capsized near the Devil’s Throat coast last month.
The group, which included the influencers, was seen taking selfies and enjoying themselves on the sea in Brazil.
Investigations revealed that the boat had exceeded its capacity when departing the party.
Sao Vincente police commissioner Marcos Alexandre Alfino told local media the individuals opted out of wearing lifejackets to avoid interference with their selfies.
He stated: “Some didn’t want to put them on because they were taking selfies.”
“They said that they get in the way of their tanning.”
The boat’s captain, whose name has not been released, has been cooperating with the authorities and providing detailed accounts.
He made a valiant attempt to rescue the influencers as the boat went down.
This captain, one of the five survivors, mentioned being instructed to ferry six influencers to shore, though his vessel was rated for just five passengers.
The other survivors include Vanessa Audrey da Silva, Camila Alves de Carvalho, Daniel Goncalves Ferreira, Gabriela Santos Lima, and Natan Cardoso Soares da Silva.
Reports indicate that on September 29, a sizeable wave struck the boat, overwhelming it and causing it to sink.
Beatriz’s body was the first to be found, retrieved by Maritime Firefighters as it drifted at sea.
Aline’s body, however, was discovered a week later when it washed ashore on Itaquitanduva Beach.
Authorities are now investigating the incident to determine if it could have been averted.
Commissioner Alfino commented: “All this is being determined very calmly to conclude if the fatalities were based on recklessness or negligence.”
Aline, who was a mother unable to swim, had posted her final social media update from the boat.
Vanessa later informed local media that the influencers had gathered to celebrate on a luxurious yacht, where they consumed alcohol.
The group then split into two for the journey back home.
Vanessa was aboard the boat that encountered the wave and survived by securing a lifejacket and holding onto rocks.
She said: “There was a moment in the water when no one could see anyone. I was fighting for life.”
Camila, another survivor, held onto a lifejacket during the ordeal.
She recounted: “There were very strong waves, we almost died. We didn’t know how to swim. I knew that I couldn’t take it for long. I hurt my foot and swallowed a lot of water.”
“We threw ourselves into the rocks.”