70,000 festivalgoers stranded in mud in Nevada

(Patria) - Attendees of the Burning Man festival, held in the American city of Black Rock, Nevada, have been told to conserve food and water after heavy rain turned the festival grounds into a vast field of mud. An estimated 70,000 people are in an area that is nearly impossible to leave.

The annual Burning Man festival, held in the Black Rock Desert, a region of Nevada characterized by arid weather, dry land, and dusty soil, is one of the most famous cultural events in America.

This year's edition has been disrupted by adverse weather. US media reported that over 70,000 people were left practically stranded in the mud on Saturday.

Organizers addressed the public with a statement on the social network X (formerly Twitter), in which they specifically emphasized that driving is not allowed in the wider festival area until the ground dries, except for emergency vehicles.

Attendees are advised to conserve food, water, and fuel and to take shelter in warm, safe spaces.

Due to the effects of flooding and bad weather, the nearby airport and the entrance to the city of Black Rock, where the festival is held, have been closed.

"Do not travel to Black Rock City! Access to the city is closed until the end of the event and you will be turned back," states one of the posts on the festival's official account on the platform.

According to the US National Weather Service, nearly 13 liters of rain per square meter fell in Black Rock on Friday alone, and the forecast predicts more precipitation.

"Fun things are still happening, and we just need to be patient and wait for the sun to come out and dry everything. Some people are worried about flights and are thinking about hiking to the main road and hitchhiking," said Claudia Cowan, a Fox News reporter who is covering the festival for the eighth time.

Police have launched an investigation into the death of one person that occurred during the storm and heavy rains. The family has been notified, and authorities are not disclosing details for now.

Burning Man is a festival of art and counterculture that traditionally ends with the burning of a giant wooden effigy. Attendees are expected to bring as many of their own supplies as possible. Last year, the event attracted 75,000 people.