Two people died and 19 more were taken to hospital Thursday evening, after being overcome while sitting in a sweat dome during a spiritual retreat at the Angel Valley Resort in Sedona, Arizona, the Associated Press reports.

The dead were a man and a woman of middle age, Verde Valley Fire District Chief Jerry Doerksen said, according to the report. A hazardous-materials team was sent into the sweat lodge to test for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other contaminants but found nothing out of the ordinary, Doerksen said according to the Arizona Republic.

A total of 64 people were in the dome. The cause of death remains unknown and authorities are investigating if there is any criminal activity involved.

The resort which is 20-minutes away from Sedona, is a 70-acre property well known for hosting spiritual retreats for the New age movement, according to the agency.

Images of the Angel Valley Resort ..

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Arizona