The third deceased festivalgoer has not been publicly identified
Credit: Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Three festivalgoers have died during this year’s Burning Man in Black Rock City, Nevada
- The third person, who has not been publicly identified, died while en route to a hospital in Reno, Nevada
- Sampson Tshombe, died on Sept. 3, while Craigh Mann, died on Sept. 5.
A third person has died during Burning Man festival.
On Monday, Sept. 7, the Pershing County Sheriff confirmed the festivalgoer died en route to a hospital in Reno, Nev. The festival is around 120 miles north, in Black Rock City, Nev.
“Although we average 1 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,” Jerry Allen, Pershing County sheriff and coroner, said in a statement Monday.
Allen confirmed that the death occurred in Washoe County, Nev. PEOPLE reached out to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office for comment.
Credit: Julie Jammot/AFP via Getty
Two festivalgoers died midway through the festival’s 40th year celebration. The weeklong event began Aug. 30 and concluded on Monday, Sept. 7.
On Sept. 3, Sampson Tshombe, a man in his mid-50s, experienced a “medical emergency” while attending the event, according to NBC News. Emergency responders administered lifesaving measures, but after he was transported to the on-site emergency center, he was pronounced deceased.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, and those affected by this loss,” Burning Man said in a statement on Sept. 4. “The safety and well-being of our community and staff remain our highest priority.”
On Sept. 5, Craigh Mann, a 60-year-old man, was found dead by campmates at his camp at approximately 3 p.m. local time, Burning Man Project said in an update. The organization did not provide further details about his death.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, campmates, and all those affected by this loss,” organizers said.
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The deaths occurred during the annual event, which is known for its focus on community, self-expression and art. The festival has experienced other deaths in recent years.
In August 2025, 37-year-old Vadim Kruglov, a Russian-born man who lived in Tacoma, Wash., was found dead at the festival in what authorities investigated as a potential homicide.
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