The man, in his 50s, died while attending the desert event on Sept. 3
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A man died at Burning Man on Sept. 3
- The individual, in his 50s, suffered a “medical emergency,” event organizers announced
- “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends and those affected by this loss,” Burning Man said in a statement
A Burning Man attendee has died.
The individual, a man in his 50s, suffered a “medical emergency” while attending the festival on Thursday, Sept. 3, event organizers announced in a statement. (The attendee’s identity is being withheld until his family has been notified.)
“It is with heavy hearts that Burning Man Project confirms a Black Rock City participant in his mid-50s experienced a medical emergency,” the statement read.
Burning Man said the man “immediately received lifesaving measures and was transported to the onsite center for emergency care, where he was pronounced deceased.”
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends and those affected by this loss,” organizers continued.
Credit: Getty
Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen told The San Francisco Chronicle that deputies received a report of an unresponsive man found on the streets at the festival. He added that no external foul play appears to be involved.
A medical examiner is currently determining the man’s cause of death, per the Chronicle.
“The safety and well-being of our community and staff remain our highest priority,” Burning Man added in its statement.
Burning Man and the PCSO did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, Sept. 5.
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Burning Man is a week-long desert event that describes itself as being focused on community, self-expression and art.
It kicked off its 40th year at Black Rock Desert on Aug. 30. The festival concludes on Monday, Sept. 7.
On Friday, Sept. 4, Burning Man temporarily closed a main gate to the grounds due to rainy weather conditions, NBC News reported.
They reopened by 6 p.m. local time that same day, according to a Black Rock City discussion board.
The Sept. 3 death at Burning Man comes after a 37-year-old man was found dead of a potential homicide at the annual festival in August 2025.
Vadim Kruglov of Russia, who lived in Tacoma, Wash., was found dead lying in “a pool of blood” on Aug. 30, as the festival’s symbolic “Man” wooden effigy began to burn, the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) said at the time.
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