Burning Man 2023 Updates: Attendees Finally Rescued From Festival Grounds, Single Casualty Identified [REPORT]

What was supposed to be an exciting and lively weekend in Burning Man 2023, ended in low spirits after a downpour in Black Rock City, Nevada, where the festival is held.

According to reports, over 75,000 attendees were left stranded in the desert after experiencing heavy rains that resulted in thick mud and severe flooding that went on for miles.

People who wanted to get out of the location had to go on foot and walk for miles, which is exactly what artists Diplo and Chris Rock did.

Those who were left behind in Burning Man had to wait for days before they were eventually evacuated, which resulted in tension among attendees.

"As usually happens in what burners refer to as the 'default world' people allow their emotions to override their reasonableness and they are lashing out at each other as they leave the playa and attempt to make it to their next destination," said Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen.

One Death in Burning Man 2023

While thousands have been stranded in Burning Man, there has been one death reported by authorities.

According to reports, the casualty was identified as 32-year-old Leon Reece, who was found unresponsive on the playa on Friday.

Authorities have not revealed his cause of death, as of this writing, however, they say that it is not related to the severe weather.

Burning Man Attendees Stranded

As per the Associated Press, Burning Man organizers advised attendees against walking from the event place, as they would have to traverse about 110 miles or 177 kilometers of mud in the desert before reaching Reno.

Authorities also claim that vehicles are not able to go and fetch the attendees, as the thick mud proved to be a challenge for cars or even airplanes.

"Please do NOT drive at this time," said authorities. "We will update you on the driving ban after this weather front has left the area."

Diplo and Rock managed to avoid being stranded after walking for six miles and then eventually hitching a ride with a fan.

"I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out cuz I have a show in D.C. tonight and don't want to let y'all down. Also shout-out to this guy for making the smart purchase of a truck not knowing it was for this exact moment," the artist said in an Instagram post.

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Burning Man Festival