Burning Man records three deaths this year as festival crowd grows older

Three men over the age of 50 died in connection with Burning Man this year, triple the festival’s average annual death toll, authorities said.

The Nevada festival, which has attracted more than 70,000 people in recent years, ended on September 7.

“Although we average one death a year at the festival, we have had two so far this year within the confines of the festival and I have received information regarding a third who died in transit to a hospital in Reno,” Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

The men were reportedly in their mid-50s, 51 and 60. Two died at the festival in Black Rock City, while another died while being transported to hospital in Reno.

Authorities said there were no signs of foul play in any of the deaths.

The first man was pronounced dead after receiving CPR on September 3. The second died while being transported for medical care early on September 4, while the third was found dead inside a trailer on September 5.

The deaths come as data shows Burning Man’s attendees are getting older. Black Rock City census figures show participants in their 20s fell from about 30 percent in 2014 to 10 percent in 2025.

Authorities said further details will be available after autopsies and toxicology reports are completed.