Two men died in the span of about 24 hours at Burning Man, as tens of thousands of attendees — known as “burners” — filled Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for the closing days of the iconic festival.
Festival organizers said one of the men, 60-year-old Craigh Mann, was discovered dead by his campmates on Saturday afternoon. A second participant, described as a man in his mid-50s, died the previous day after experiencing a medical emergency.
Mann was found at his camp in Black Rock City at around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, according to the Burning Man Project.
Burning Man 2026 attendees watch as the Man structure burns during the annual gathering in Black Rock City, Nevada, on Sept. 5, 2026. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
“Burning Man Project is saddened to share that a second Black Rock City participant, Craigh Mann, a 60-year-old man, was found deceased by campmates in his camp,” organizers said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, campmates, and all those affected by this loss,” the statement added.
Organizers had reported the first death on Friday evening.
Burning Man 2026 attendees take in the art installations at Black Rock City during a dust storm on Sept. 2, 2026. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The man who was in his mid-50s suffered a medical emergency and received lifesaving measures before being taken to the festival’s onsite emergency care center, according to the Burning Man Project.
He was pronounced dead at the center. Organizers did not provide further details about the type of medical emergency.
His name was not released because his family had not yet been notified.
“The safety and well-being of our community and staff remain our highest priority,” organizers said after the first death. They said support resources were available around the clock for people in Black Rock City, the temporary city built each year to host the event.
A Vantor satellite image shows the center of the Burning Man festival site in Black Rock City, Nev., on Aug. 31, 2026, with its distinctive circular layout and numerous temporary structures. (DigitalGlobe/Getty Images)
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to News Outlet’s request for comment.
The annual Burning Man festival began Aug. 30 and was scheduled to conclude Monday.
The sprawling desert gathering draws as many as 80,000 people, known as “burners.” The festival is best known for the burning of a large wooden effigy.
