Burning Man breaks silence after festival-goer dies in Nevada desert on day one of event

The Burning Man Project kicked off with a heartbreaking first day .

Emergency services responded to a "report of an unresponsive individual" at 11:29 a.m. on the festival's opening day on Sunday, August 25. The festival's organizers released a statement confirming emergency responders attempted life-saving procedures but were unsuccessful. The person has been identified by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.

The Burning Man Project released a statement that read: "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. The participant has been identified by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office."

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The statement also reassured attendees that life saving measures were attempted and supplied resources for support.

They added: "The safety and well-being of our staff and community are paramount. We are cooperating fully with local authorities as they investigate this incident. The Pershing County Sheriff’s office investigates all deaths that occur in its jurisdiction. Out of respect for the privacy of the grieving family, we will not be providing further details at this time."

The Pershing County Sheriff's Office said that the death is under investigation until a cause of death could be determined in an autopsy. Jerry Allen with the Pershing County Sheriff said in a statement, "The name of the participant is being withheld at this time, until the decedent's next of kin can be notified."

Allen added: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the decedent. This is the first reported death on the playa this year and unfortunately it has happened on day one."

According to Reno Gazette Journal, this was not the first time someone had died at Burning Man. Since Burning Man was moved to the Black Rock Desert in 1990, there have been several deaths at or near the event, including suicides and accidents. Last year, Leon Reece died at the event after being found unresponsive and was administered CPR. Even though the weather conditions did not play a factor in his death, it did make it hard for deputies to arrive and begin the investigation.

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