Authorities in northern Nevada are investigating the death of a woman at the annual Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert. The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office reported that emergency personnel responded to a call about an unresponsive woman around midday Sunday in Black Rock City, a temporary settlement established for the festival, situated approximately 100 miles north of Reno. Despite efforts by the festival’s emergency services team, the woman could not be revived.
Festival organisers expressed their condolences to the woman’s family and friends and confirmed full cooperation with local authorities in the ongoing investigation. Since its relocation from San Francisco’s Baker Beach in 1990, about six other fatalities have been recorded at the festival. Last year, a 32-year-old Californian man died from suspected drug intoxication after being found unconscious on the festival grounds.
Sheriff Jerry Allen stated that Sunday’s death remains under investigation until the cause and manner are determined, pending an autopsy. The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to respond to inquiries. The deceased woman’s identity will not be disclosed until her family is informed.
America-attend the cultural event Burning Man
The rain for several hours turned the Black Rock desert area in Nevada, where the Burning Man event was held, into ankle-deep mud. The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said about 70,000 people were stranded at the event #festival pic.twitter.com/UhdNPPC2pb— Discover great things🧚🏿♂️ (@Discovery230892) September 4, 2023
The festival, which opened early Sunday after a 12-hour delay due to rain and muddy conditions, features a blend of wilderness camping and artistic celebrations. Approximately 20,000 people were already present on the playa before the gates officially opened to all ticket-holders. Burning Man runs through 2nd September, with organisers expecting over 70,000 attendees this year.
Burning Man is renowned for its vibrant theme camps, large sculptures, drum circles, art cars, and avant-garde performances. It has grown from a gathering of 4,000 in 1995 to 50,000 in 2010, and now temporarily ranks as Nevada’s third-largest city after Las Vegas and Reno. In 2023, an estimated 73,000 people attended the 35th annual festival, with an additional 95,000 participating in regional events worldwide. This year’s event faced disruptions due to a protest blockade and heavy rain, which turned the playa into mud, complicating travel.
In previous years, other fatalities at Burning Man included a woman struck by a bus in 2014, an attendee who fell under a trailer in 2007, and a friend of co-founder Larry Harvey who died in a motorcycle collision in 1996.
What Other Media Are Saying
- ABC News reports that a woman’s death at Burning Man festival is under investigation, with emergency responders failing to revive her on the first day of the event, and authorities withholding her name until notification of next of kin.(read more)
- Fredericknewspost.com reports on the investigation into the death of a woman on the first day of Burning Man festival, emphasizing the response by emergency personnel and the incident’s timing.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened at Burning Man recently?
A woman was found unresponsive and later died at Burning Man. Authorities are investigating the cause.
How many people attended Burning Man this year?
The 35th annual Burning Man festival was attended by an estimated 73,000 people.
Have there been other deaths at Burning Man?
Yes, about a half-dozen deaths have been reported since the festival moved to the Black Rock desert.
What issues did Burning Man face this year?
The festival faced a protest blockade and rain, which caused muddy conditions and delayed the event’s start.
What is Burning Man known for?
Burning Man is known for its colorful theme camps, towering sculptures, drum circles, art cars, and avant-garde theatrics.