A second attendee has died at Burning Man 2026 as the festival enters its final days in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.
Burning Man Project identified the attendee as Craigh Mann, 60, saying he was found dead by campmates at his camp around 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 5th. Organizers did not immediately provide a cause of death or further details about the circumstances. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, campmates, and all those affected by this loss,” the organization said in a statement.
Mann’s death came two days after another participant, a man in his mid-50s, died following a medical emergency at Black Rock City. According to organizers, the man received lifesaving measures before being transported to the festival’s onsite emergency care center, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been released. Pershing County Sheriff Coroner Jerry Allen said there were no apparent signs of external foul play, with a final cause of death still pending.
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The deaths come after a decidedly difficult week at Burning Man. Heavy rain turned portions of the playa to mud on Friday and temporarily shut the festival’s entrance and exit, while dust storms caused additional disruptions. Diplo, who performed at the festival, documented himself walking roughly six miles through the muddy desert in an effort to reach a road. Elsewhere, Burning Man evicted Christian missionary camp Shift the Atmosphere after organizers said the group repeatedly violated the festival’s consent and privacy policies.
Additionally, an attendee was seriously injured earlier in the week after falling from the 55-foot Nest Tower at the Square One camp. Authorities have also reported 34 arrests for alleged drug sales or trafficking as of Friday morning, along with an arrest related to domestic violence.
This year’s event also arrives one year after the killing of 37-year-old Vadim Kruglov, who was found fatally stabbed at Burning Man in August 2025. No arrest has been announced in that case.
Burning Man organizers have made around-the-clock peer and crisis-support resources available to attendees affected by the deaths. The 2026 festival is scheduled to conclude on September 7th.
