A 74-year-old homeless man set himself on fire on Friday, May 30, in the middle of the São Bento metro station in São Paulo, Brazil. The shocking incident created panic among commuters, metro staff, and bystanders. The entire act was captured on video by witnesses present at the scene.
The video is now going viral on social media, where many users are questioning the motive behind the man’s actions. In the footage, the man can be seen standing still with minimal movement after setting himself ablaze. Several bystanders can be seen running in panic around him. However, the video does not confirm whether the man was rescued by anyone or received help from metro authorities in time. It is also unclear whether the victim survived the incident.
Watch the video here, Trigger Warning: Graphic Content
In a post shared by X user @dom_lucre, X’s Grok AI responded to the video, stating that police are investigating the incident as a case of self-harm. However, no official motive has been confirmed. Possible reasons such as protest, mental health issues, or personal despair remain speculative at this stage, as no evidence has been presented.
Homelessness in Brazil
Homelessness crisis is a major issue reported in Brazil. The homeless population in Brazil has seen a significant rise. In 2024, it was reported that 327,925 people were living on the streets—a 25% increase from the previous year. This figure is 14 times higher than it was in 2013, when only 22,922 people were homeless, according to Agência Brasil. The growing homelessness crisis has become a major concern, prompting the federal government to respond with initiatives such as reserving free housing for those without shelter.
