Caroline Pinto dos Santos, a 31-year-old mother of three, died after being engulfed in flames during a Candomblé ritual in Realengo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 13. She suffered burns to 65% of her body and passed away 25 days later at Pedro II Municipal Hospital.
Details of the Incident
Shocking footage shows Caroline crouching near a ceramic bowl of fire, known as a cumbuca, when a man pours liquid fuel into the flames. The fire instantly expands, the container appears to explode, and Caroline is swallowed by flames. A relative told Brazilian outlet DIA: "There are photos showing a young man throwing gasoline and then setting her on fire." The relative added that Caroline was facing away and those present did not expect the explosion.
Family's Claims and Investigation
The family alleges that key figures responsible for the ceremony vanished after the incident, with some deleting social media accounts. Caroline's sister and oldest daughter have demanded justice online. The lead priestess, Yalorixá Thayane de Osun, described the blast as an "unexpected, unpredictable, and profoundly lamentable accident" before deactivating her profile. The family claims the person who added the fuel was the husband of the homeowner, Thayane Alves.
Civil Police in Rio initially opened an investigation for involuntary bodily harm through the 33rd Police Precinct. Following Caroline's death, investigators are re-evaluating potential criminal charges.
Background on Candomblé
The ceremony was part of Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion that developed in Brazil in the 19th century. It blends traditional African spiritual beliefs from the Yoruba, Fon, and Bantu peoples with elements of Roman Catholicism. Followers worship a supreme creator alongside divine spirits known as Orixás, honored through ceremonies and offerings.
Caroline, known within the faith as Caroline de Yewá, leaves behind three daughters aged 16, 10, and 5. She was buried on July 11 at Jardim da Saudade Cemetery in Paciência.
