An investigation has been launched concerning the passing of an individual during heavy rainfall at the Burning Man festival in the US state of Nevada.
Numerous attendees are stuck at the event due to the bad weather turning the ground into deep, slippery mud.
Party-goers have been instructed to seek refuge and conserve their food, while transportation routes into and out of the location are inaccessible since cars are hardly able to move.
Burning Man takes place in the Black Rock Desert, which is usually dry and dusty.
In a statement on Saturday, the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office announced it is “currently investigating a death which occurred during this rain event” but did not provide additional insight into the situation. The deceased’s relatives have been informed, the announcement noted.
The unusual rainstorms occurred near the end of the nine-day event, when the largest gatherings converge to witness the grand final – the burning of the giant wooden effigy.
The most severe part of the rain seems to have passed, as per BBC Weather, yet there exists a possibility of intermittent showers and thunderstorms still occurring.
It might span several days before the soil becomes sufficiently dry to facilitate attendees’ departure, and therefore, they’ve been advised to preserve their food, water, and fuel.
The event’s restroom facilities are currently non-functional, party-goers report, as the maintenance vehicles are unable to navigate the muddy surfaces to clean them.
Nonetheless, a participant relayed to the news media that the coordinators have recently managed to clean and replenish the restroom amenities, at least in certain areas.
The sheriff’s department reported that several individuals who attempted to leave the event by car have inadvertently exacerbated the already muddied terrain.
Event attendees informed the news media that they observed as some individuals attempted to drive off – only to swiftly get stuck in the dense, clayey mud.
The coordinators of Burning Man have expressed that presently there’s no anticipated timeframe for when the pathways will be parched enough to permit the relocation of vehicles from the premises.
It is estimated that approximately 70,000 individuals are marooned at the location, Pershing County Sheriff’s Sgt Nathan Carmichael informed the US press.
Burning Man originated in June 1986 and initially took place in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert in 1990.
Entry passes are often difficult to acquire. Attendees occasionally undergo interviews to secure spots in popular camps, and they must prove their commitment to the festival’s ideals.
Some people spend the entire year preparing their encampment, artistic contributions, and thematic focus.
However, this year there were concerns regarding the climate, and tickets were being traded on the secondary market at rates lower than the usual market price.
