The American desert festival “Burning Man” almost ended in tragedy due to massive amounts of rain. Three Austrians told the ‘Krone’ about the drama.
Mud was ankle-deep on the grounds of the “Burning Man” festival, in one of Nevada’s driest areas. Also in the middle were Christian Eckhardt, his wife Irene Humer and David Fischer. The three Austrians teach at universities in California and Massachusetts. The trio prepared well for the nine-day festival in the middle of nowhere in the Black Rock Desert. “We have been running a camp there since 2019, including an après ski hut,” Eckhardt tells the “Krone” over the internet, which he borrowed from a Russian-Ukrainian camp.
Meanwhile, the rain pattered relentlessly on the sand. The amount that would otherwise fall within three months came out of the blue within 24 hours. The result: the area turned into a mud desert from which there was no way out. One person died, President Biden was informed.
But everyone helped, says Eckhardt, and panic never broke out. Daring people, including the Austrian Fischer and the American comedian Chris Rock, walked eleven kilometers across the desert. “David also walked eleven kilometers through the desert to leave the site. Thank God he made it without any problems,” says university professor Eckhardt.
As they waded through the dunes, the sky cleared. The Burning Man installation was lit as planned on Sunday evening.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
