Burning Man Tragedy: Attendee Dies on Opening Day
A tragic incident unfolded on the first day of the 2024 Burning Man festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, where a 39-year-old woman was found unresponsive and later declared deceased. The festival’s emergency services responded to the situation on Sunday, 25th August 2024, at approximately 11:29 A.M. local time. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, they were unable to revive her.
Burning Man officials emphasized their commitment to safety, stating,
“The safety and well-being of our community and staff are our top priorities. We are fully cooperating with local authorities as they conduct their investigation.“
The woman, identified by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office as Kendra Frazer, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of her death, with an autopsy and toxicology screening pending. Sheriff Jerry Allen offered his condolences, saying,
“Our thoughts are with Kendra’s family and friends during this difficult time.“
In response to the incident, Burning Man is providing peer and crisis support services to attendees affected by the tragedy.
This marks another somber moment in the history of the Black Rock City festival, which hosts over 70,000 participants each year. Past incidents include the 2023 death of a 32-year-old man and the 2017 tragedy where a 41-year-old man lost his life after running into a fire.
Last year’s festival faced its own challenges, including roadblocks from climate protesters and severe flooding that stranded tens of thousands of participants for several days.
Story Source: DJMag / Marissa CETIN
