Woman dies on first day of Burning Man after doomed festival gets off to a disastrous start

A woman has mysteriously died on the first day of the Burning Man festival just hours after thousands crowded into the desert camp.

She was found unresponsive at 11.29am on Sunday and 'life saving measures were immediately attempted but were unsuccessful', festival organizers said.

The Pershing County Sheriff's Office arrived and confirmed the woman's death, and began investigating 'until a cause and manner can be determined'.

A woman has mysteriously died on the first day of the Burning Man festival just hours after thousands crowded into the desert camp

'The name of the participant is being withheld at this time, until the decedent's next of kin can be notified,' Jerry Allen with the Pershing County Sheriff said.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the decedent.

'This is the first reported death on the playa this year and unfortunately it has happened on day one.' 

How the woman died and the circumstances around her death are not yet known. 

Burning Man organizers said there were counselling services available at the festival for anyone who needed them.

Festivalgoers check in for buses going to Burning Man at Civic Center Plaza on Sunday

'The safety and well-being of our staff and community are paramount. We are cooperating fully with local authorities as they investigate this incident,' it said.

'The Pershing County Sheriff’s office investigates all deaths that occur in its jurisdiction. 

'Out of respect for the privacy of the grieving family, we will not be providing further details at this time.'

Last year, festivalgoer Leon Reece, 32, from Truckee, California, died of a suspected drug overdose.