A significant departure from the mud-soaked Burning Man festival has commenced, as conditions on the ground appear to have improved.

The organizers of the Nevada-based event have given the green light for a substantial number of festival-goers to begin their exit, following a period in which the wet and swampy conditions have started to ease.

This decision comes after days of distressing scenes that featured attendees trudging through ankle-deep mud, with many losing their tents and possessions in waterlogged fields, the Daily Mirror reported.

While the organizers stated that people could commence their departure from the desert site after the lifting of a driving ban at noon, they recommended delaying until Tuesday to avoid congestion.

Nevertheless, a considerable number of festival-goers chose to seize the opportunity to leave. Some, however, had become so desperate that they had already left on foot, covering miles in search of assistance.

Despite the organizers’ advice to wait for 24 hours before departing, thousands embarked on the slow journey off-site at a speed of 10 miles per hour, leaving behind what has been described as “the most somber Burning Man experience ever.”

Written by staff