A woman has died after being hit in the chest by a firework which exploded after it was caught in her clothing on a packed beach celebrating New Year’s Eve in Brazil.
Police are looking for who set off the firework that struck Elisangela Tinem Goncalves, 38, in Praia Grande on the Sao Paulo coast.
In horrific footage, dozens of people can be seen watching fireworks on the beach when suddenly one shoots off and strikes Ms Tinem before exploding in a massive flash.
The woman’s 41-year-old cousin Alexander Freitas Goncalves who was with her at the time told police how she was hit by the firework and it exploded before he had time to remove it from her, it is reported.
Ms Tinem suffered injuries to her chest and arm from which she died, and leaves behind a 13-year-old son.
A witness, Luiza Ferreira told a news outlet that there were many uncontrolled fireworks being set off.
Talking to g1.globo.com she said: “When it struck midnight I hugged my mum and then I saw this strong flash. Soon after that everyone started screaming and when I went to look I saw a woman lying on the ground bleeding. By her was a man who was also lying down and then he got up and knelt down beside her (the woman) when he saw her not moving.”
Tributes have poured in on social media after the tragedy.
A friend wrote: "My God I can’t believe it. My condolences to all of the family. May God comfort your hearts in this very difficult time. I will be praying for the family."
While another said: "What a tragedy! May God comfort the family’s hearts and give her eternal rest."
The Municipality of Praia Grande stated that the sale and commercialisation of fireworks is prohibited.
It continued: “The City Hall also points out that the device that hit the victim did not come from the official fireworks of the City Hall. In fact, Bairro Mirim (the location) did not have an official fireworks display.”
A homicide investigation has been opened by the police with any suspect so far not identified.
