Talks at the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, were disrupted on Thursday after a fire broke out at the main venue injuring atleast 21 people. Forcing delegates to evacuate amid high-stakes negotiations aimed at advancing global climate action. The incident temporarily halted discussions as countries sought to narrow differences ahead of the release of draft texts addressing finance, adaptation, and fossil fuel transition targets.
The fire began around 2 p.m. in the Blue Zone—home to official negotiations, country pavilions, media operations, and offices of senior dignitaries, including the main plenary hall. Authorities said emergency responders acted swiftly to contain the blaze and prevent damage to critical infrastructure. While the cause of the fire is under investigation, preliminary reports suggest an electrical malfunction may have sparked the incident.
Brazil’s Tourism Minister confirmed that the fire was under control and that no fatalities had been reported. However, it remained unclear whether delegates would be able to re-enter the affected areas on Friday. The temporary evacuation has disrupted the summit’s schedule, adding logistical pressure as negotiators aim to reconcile differences on climate financing and emissions reduction commitments.
The incident drew immediate attention from host officials and UN organizers, who emphasized that safety protocols functioned as intended. With just days remaining before the conference’s conclusion, the evacuation underscored the complex operational demands of managing large-scale climate diplomacy gatherings.
The summit in the Amazon city was initially scheduled to wrap up on Friday, but it missed a self-imposed Wednesday deadline to secure agreement among the nearly 200 countries present on issues including how to increase climate finance and shift away from fossil fuels.
The fire scare occurred in what is already a hive of activity during the summit’s two-week run, interrupting ongoing negotiations inside the venue.
A siren sent delegates, observers and journalists running for the exits with their belongings, as police lined up as a barrier to prevent anyone from nearing the area where the fire was reported.
TV footage showed flames and smoke inside the venue, a conference center on the site of a former airport.
Since kicking off earlier this month, the summit has drawn multiple protests demanding climate action and forest protection, at times interrupting talks.
