US : Police Investigating Death During ‘Burning Man Festival’

An investigation has been launched into the death of a person during torrential rain at the Burning Man festival in the US state of Nevada.

Burning Man is held in the Black Rock Desert, which is usually dry and dusty but for this year, thousands of people remain stranded at the event after the bad weather turned the ground into deep, slippery mud.

Revelers have been told to take shelter and conserve their food, while roads in and out of the event are closed as vehicles can barely move.

In a statement on Saturday, the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said it is “currently investigating a death which occurred during this rain event” but did not give any further details on the circumstances. The person’s family had been notified, the statement added.

The unusual rainstorms came towards the end of the nine-day festival, when the biggest crowds arrive to see the grand finale – the burning of the giant wooden effigy.

The worst of the rain has now passed, according to BBC Weather, but there is still a risk of some further showers and thunderstorms.

It could be several days before the ground dries up enough for people to leave and for this reason, they have been told to conserve their food, water and fuel.

BBC