A murder investigation has been launched at the Burning Man festival in the US state of Nevada after a man was found lying in a pool of blood on Saturday night, police report.
A festival-goer alerted the police at approximately 21:14 (04:14 GMT) about the situation. Upon arrival, officers discovered the man, who was apparently deceased, lying on the ground near a campsite, according to the Pershing County Sheriff's office.
The body was found just as the iconic 'Man' structure was being ignited during the festival’s traditional closing celebration. The identity of the deceased remains unknown, and Burning Man Project has stated it is cooperating fully with law enforcement while urging festival participants not to interfere with the investigation.
Authorities cordoned off part of the festival site in the Black Rock Desert as they began their inquiry with assistance from forensics teams. Sheriff Jerry Allen mentioned, several participants in the immediate area were interviewed regarding the incident.
Although this act appears to be a singular crime, all participants should always be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances, warned Sheriff Allen.
A visible police presence is expected to remain at the festival site as the investigation unfolds. Burning Man generally attracts tens of thousands of individuals to Black Rock City, which organizers describe as a temporary metropolis constructed annually for the event.
This incident marks another tragic moment in the festival's history; previous fatalities include instances related to extreme weather and accidents within the festival grounds.
