The Burning Man festival, one of the best known in the United States, has experienced the worst edition in memory as a result of the heavy rains that fell last Friday in Black Rock City, Nevada, and which have caused one death in addition to leaving thousands of people trapped in the middle of the desert with vehicles unable to move through the mud.
Regarding the deceased person, Nevada authorities have announced that they were investigating a death that occurred during a "rain event" on Saturday, but have not provided details of the cause of death or the identity of the person. "The family has been notified and the death is under investigation," the sheriff's office limited itself to communicating.
Many of those attending the event ignored the advice of the authorities, which advised them to remain in the place waiting for help, and began to walk in the direction of a main road waiting for the buses sent by the organization of the festival, which it has been held since 1986. Bureau sergeant Nathan Carmichael explained that there are currently "more than 70,000" people stranded at the festival and that "some people are leaving" despite organizers' insistence that it is safer to stay .
Among those who decided to flee on their own feet on Saturday were comedian Chris Rock and musician DJ Diplo, who had performed at the festival, who walked 10 kilometers through desert mud and later managed to leave the festival in a fan's truck, according to videos published on social networks.
For its part, the festival organization also recommends that attendees remain locked in their vehicles until the storm ends, since only 4x4s can roll on the mud. The organizers have invited participants to "conserve water, food and fuel and find a warm and safe refuge" and are working to deploy antennas that provide Internet access.
"We come here (in the middle of the desert, editor's note), knowing that it is a place where we must bring everything we need to survive. That is why we are all well prepared for this type of meteorological event," organizers said Saturday in a statement. In any case, the inclemencies have not made them give up their desire to burn the giant "man", in a ritual that traditionally puts an end to this event.
The Burning Man festival abides by its own rules, including not accepting money from its attendees, who must bring their own supplies to spend seven days on the empty bed of an ancient lake in the Nevada desert, where the most nearest is 40 km. Of course, the entrance costs around 500 euros,
