A mum-of-two died in a freak New Yearβs Eve accident after a firework got stuck in her clothes and exploded, it was reported.
The 38-year-old, who has not been named, was walking along a beach in Praia Grande, Brazil when she was hit in the chest by a stray firework set off shortly after midnight.
Her cousin told how the firework βgot stuckβ in her clothing and went off βbefore it could be removedβ.
Distressing footage shows a huge flash followed by a woman lying on the sand.
A man, reportedly her partner, was also floored by the explosion but managed to pick himself up moments later.
One eyewitness told local media: βWe were there, enjoying ourselves, when all of a sudden, we saw this girl jumping on the spot and screaming.
βI donβt think there was even time to help, because a few seconds later the explosion struck. It was horrible.β
Paramedics were called to the beach but the woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. She reportedly leaves behind two young children.
Police in Praia Grande are now investigating the incident as a case of homicide and bodily harm.
Witnesses told police that many people had been setting off clandestine fireworks on the sand at the time.
The victim lived in Sao Paulo but had travelled to Praia Grande to spend New Yearβs Eve with her family.
The firework that killed her was not set off by a family member, according to local media.
