Heavy rain leaves 70,000 festival-goers stranded in US desert

More than 70,000 people attending the Burning Man cultural event in the Nevada desert were stranded when heavy rains turned the area into a muddy wasteland.

"Due to heavy rain, access to and from the event venue remains closed. Driving is prohibited until the desert surface dries, except for emergency vehicles," the organizers of the Burning Man cultural event announced on September 2nd.

The organizers also encouraged those stranded in the desert to conserve food, water, and fuel, and to find safe shelter while awaiting further information.

The entrances to the event venue remained closed on the morning of September 3rd. The Burning Man organizers have not yet announced plans to reopen access. The meteorological agency predicts the rain will stop by the evening of September 3rd (around the morning of September 4th, Hanoi time).

Participants in Burning Man walk through muddy desert terrain on September 2nd. Photo: Reuters .

Hours of heavy rain transformed the desert area in Nevada, where the Burning Man event was being held, into ankle-deep mud. Officials from the Pershing County Sheriff's Office said approximately 70,000 people were stranded, adding that some had attempted to leave but most vehicles were unable to move.

Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said they are investigating one death related to the event, but the cause is unclear.

Burning Man organizers affirmed they were prepared for such situations and were prioritizing the evacuation of everyone. Nevada police said all resources across the state had been mobilized to assist those with medical needs at the event.

Heavy rains have left 70,000 festival-goers stranded in the American desert.

The desert where the Burning Man event takes place has turned into a muddy swamp. Video : Twitter/@ekai

Burning Man is an annual cultural event that attracts around 70,000 attendees. This year's event runs from August 28th to September 4th. Tens of thousands of participants, known as Burners, will gather in a desert area in northern Nevada called Black Rock City. Burners are responsible for providing their own food, water, and shelter during the event.

Attendees can enjoy music parties, art performances, and games that are considered somewhat eccentric. The highlight of the event is the main festival, the burning of the giant effigy, Burning Man.

Location of the Burning Man event. Graphic: Google Maps

Ngoc Anh (According to CNN/Washington Post )

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