A 39-year-old woman died on the first day of Burning Man 2024

A woman, identified as Kendra Frazer, has passed away on the first day of Burning Man 2024.

According to the festival, emergency service personnel “responded to a report of an unresponsive individual” at 11.29:AM on the morning of August 25. But attempts to save the 39-year-old woman’s life were unsuccessful and Frazer was declared dead at 11.37:AM.

“It is with heavy hearts that Burning Man Project confirms the death of a participant in Black Rock City in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this loss. We are cooperating fully with local authorities as they investigate this incident,” Burning Man announced in a statement, alongside a list of local counselling services available to those who may need them.

The Sheriff's office has said it is investigating the cause of the woman’s death, with an autopsy to be conducted.

"This is the first reported death on the playa this year and unfortunately it has happened on day one," said Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen.

“Kendra’s cause and manner of death are still pending results of an autopsy and toxicology screening,” he added. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kendra’s family and friends.”

It is not the first death in the festival’s history however, with at least seven others related to Burning Man.

Last year, a man was declared dead after being administered CPR. While drug intoxication was suspected to be the cause, extreme weather conditions including heavy rain and “mud baths” may have made it difficult for deputies to arrive in time.

Burning Man 2024 will run until September 2, with crowds expected to reach around 70,000. The annual festival takes place in northern Nevada, in the fictional town of Black Rock City. For one week, thousands of people gather in the desert to celebrate music, art and community, culminating in the event’s name-giving ceremony, in which a large, wooden effigy, referred to as the Man, is burned.

[Via: Guardian]

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram