Brazilian Father Killed in Tragic Kite-Fighting Accident

What began as a routine day in Duque de Caxias, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, ended in unimaginable tragedy for one Brazilian family.

Auriel Missael Henriques, a 41-year-old father of three, was killed in a freak accident involving a kite string coated in glass. The incident occurred on May 27 as Auriel was riding on the back of his motorcycle taxi, with his wife as the passenger.

A Day That Turned Deadly

As the Brazilian couple made their way down the street, a barely visible string—used in kite-fighting competitions—sliced across Auriel’s throat. The line had been coated in abrasive materials like crushed glass, a common but illegal tactic used to cut down competitors’ kites in mid-air.

Desperate Rescue Efforts

Eyewitnesses say that Auriel’s wife immediately jumped off the bike to try to stop the bleeding. Nearby pedestrians rushed to help as she screamed for assistance. A bystander then drove Auriel and his wife to the local hospital. Tragically, he suffered a cardiac arrest before arriving and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Auriel, a well-known member of his community, worked as both a cook and a motorcycle taxi operator. He leaves behind a young daughter and two adult children. His sudden death has sent shockwaves throughout the region.

A Deadly Hobby with a Long History

Kite fighting is a widely practiced activity in Brazil, especially during the dry season. While the pastime is often enjoyed by children, its competitive form involves highly dangerous modifications. Participants attach sharp materials like crushed glass, metal, or even razor blades to their kite strings to slice through opponents’ lines.

Though laws exist to ban the use of these “Chilean lines” in the state of Rio de Janeiro, enforcement has remained lax. Many still fly kites from rooftops or in tight urban areas, where strings can become tangled in power lines—or worse, stretch across roads unnoticed.

Why the Danger Persists

Despite multiple public awareness campaigns and legal restrictions, the use of glass-coated lines continues due to their popularity in kite-fighting circles. Some sellers still offer the strings in street markets or online, often to minors.

Motorcyclists in high-risk areas are known to equip their bikes with thin vertical antennas designed to catch or deflect stray lines. Unfortunately, not all riders can afford this modification, and many remain unprotected.

Auriel reportedly did not have such an antenna installed at the time of the accident, making the injury unavoidable.

Public Outrage and Renewed Calls for Action

Auriel’s death has reignited debates over how Brazil should address the dangers of kite fighting. Officials are under increased pressure to enforce existing bans and introduce harsher penalties for violators.

Community leaders and safety advocates are also urging parents to educate children about the dangers of weaponized kites. Some are calling for designated kite-flying parks and the use of only safe string materials.

In the wake of Auriel’s passing, his family hopes to raise awareness so that no one else suffers a similar fate.

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