The unidentified body of a male was discovered at around 9.15pm on Saturday as the festival's 'Man' effigy began to burn in the northwestern Nevada desert, police said.

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was found dead in a 'pool of blood' at the iconic Burning Man festival in Nevada over Labor Day weekend.

The victim, whose identity was unknown, was found “lying in a pool of blood” on Saturday night, officials said.