Site of Burning Man festival in Nevada’s Black Rock desert.Photo:JULIE JAMMOT/AFP via Getty
JULIE JAMMOT/AFP via Getty
The local Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death at the festival that happened “during this rain event,” according toNBC News.CNNhas also reported the news.
“As this death is still under investigation, there is no further information available at this time,” the office told NBC News in a statement. The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional information on Sunday.
The revelation of a death investigation comes shortly after thousands of Burning Man attendees were advised to “conserve food, water and fuel and shelter in a warm, safe space” in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada as a result of rainstorms that began Friday.
The event, which was scheduled to take place from Aug. 27 through Sept. 4, had its entrance at the event’s Black Rock City closed off due to flooding.
Gale, 28, shared images to herInstagram Storyof her crew walking through the mud with protective bags over their shoes as they trekked on out. “Getting to safety,” she wrote alongside one image before adding, “Every year this place is interesting.”
After getting back home, Gale explained why she left the event early. “Half of us stayed and half of us left,” she wrote of her camp. “Felt so difficult leaving but the good thing was making sure there would be enough food and water for those who stayed. Paying for everyone to stay safe and get out safe.”
As previously reported, organizers told festival-goers onX(formerly known as Twitter) that the gate and airport leaving Black Rock City was closed and that driving was not permitted “except [for] emergency vehicles.”
Site of Burning Man festival in 2000.Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty
Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty
Organizers added that access to Black Rock City was “closed for the remainder of the event.” TheBurning Man websitedescribes the city as “a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance” that thousands of festivalgoers form every year.Travel Nevadanotes that more than 70,000 people attend Burning Man annually.
A few celebrities, includingDiploandChris Rock, faced the same challenges at the festival. The 44-year-old DJtweetedthat he “walked 5 miles in the mud out of burning man with Chris Rock and a fan picked us up.” He also shared a clip of himself and the comedian, 58, riding with him and others in the back of a truck on their way out.
On Sunday morning, organizers shared another update via what it calls its2023 Wet Playa SurvivalGuide.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“As of 9 a.m. Sunday, the roads remain too wet and muddy to officially open them for Exodus. There is also an uncertain weather front approaching Black Rock City,” it noted. “Some vehicles with 4WD and all-terrain tires are able to navigate the mud and are successfully leaving. But we are seeing most other types of vehicles that try to depart getting stuck in the wet mud which hampers everyone’s Exodus.”
“Please do NOT drive at this time,” the update continued. “Road conditions differ based on the neighborhood. We will update you on the driving ban after this weather front has left the area.”
Organizers are planning to “burn the man” — a.k.a. commence the culminating ceremony that ends in the burning of a wooden figure — on Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
source: people.com
