Fire breaks out at COP30 summit venue in Brazil’s Belem, organisers order immediate evacuation

A fire broke out on Thursday at the venue of the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil. The incident created panic among delegates, officials, and staff who were attending the global climate conference. The fire forced a quick evacuation from parts of the building as thick smoke filled the air and people rushed toward the exits.

The fire occurred at a very crucial time. International ministers from many countries were deeply involved in difficult discussions about fossil fuels, climate finance, and trade rules when the emergency began. The conference had only one day left before conclusion, and these negotiations were expected to decide major climate commitments.

Videos on social media showed smoke spreading both inside and outside the large conference hall. In these videos, people could be heard shouting “Fire! Fire!” as they tried to run toward safer areas. Firefighters soon arrived at the scene and began working to control the blaze. The United Nations staff and security teams at the venue also grabbed fire extinguishers and tried to help before the fire crew reached the spot.

According to early reports, the fire started in the health and science pavilion area of the building. This update was shared by two technical workers associated with the summit, Victoria Martins and Júlia Aguiar. They said the fire was reported on the next-to-last day of the two-week summit.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed. However, officials are now trying to find out how it started and whether any electrical or equipment-related issue was involved. Many delegates said that they smelled smoke before they saw flames, and some described the atmosphere as chaotic as everyone tried to leave the building at the same time.

Fire contained quickly, no injuries reported

Brazil’s tourism minister, Celso Sabino, later addressed the situation on national television. He said that the fire had been brought under control and that there were no reports of injuries. His statement brought relief to thousands of delegates, volunteers, and journalists present at the summit.

Minister Sabino said, “The incident has already been contained.” Local fire authorities also confirmed that the fire was stopped before it could spread to other sections of the venue. Emergency teams took precautionary steps to check the whole building to ensure no hidden sparks or unsafe areas remained.

Officials said that the evacuation went smoothly because security personnel acted quickly. Delegates were asked to move toward open spaces outside the main halls. Many people were seen wearing masks or covering their faces to avoid inhaling smoke. The firefighters also worked from multiple sides of the building to bring the fire under control faster.

Participants outside the venue described the scene as tense. Some delegates said they feared the fire might disrupt the final stage of the climate negotiations, which had already been facing delays and disagreements. Negotiators were trying to break a major deadlock over how the world should deal with fossil fuels and how climate finance should be managed for developing nations.

The fire added unusual pressure to the summit, which already had only one day left. However, officials expressed confidence that the final discussions would continue once the building was declared safe. They said that there would be no major changes to the schedule unless another safety concern arose.

The fire also triggered debates about the safety preparedness at large international gatherings. Experts from the UN praised the quick response but said that the incident showed the need for strong safety standards at such global events.

Delegates shaken but summit expected to continue

Many attendees said that the fire frightened them because they were inside meeting rooms when the smoke alarms went off. Some attendees said they initially thought it was a drill, but the situation quickly became serious when smoke filled the corridors.

People rushed to leave the area, and security staff guided them to safe exits. Some delegates recorded videos showing crowded hallways and people struggling to find clear paths due to the smoke. Despite the confusion, the evacuation was completed within minutes, which helped avoid injuries.

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The fire occurred at a sensitive moment, as countries were struggling to agree on key points like reducing fossil fuel use and funding climate change solutions. Experts fear that the disruption may put extra pressure on negotiators, but officials have said they will work toward completing the talks.

Firefighters later inspected the building carefully to identify damage and ensure that the burned area did not pose further danger. Reports suggest that the fire was contained in one section of the venue, preventing any major structural harm. The health and science pavilion, where the fire began, is now sealed off for detailed inspection.

Delegates were asked to remain patient while teams checked ventilation systems, wiring, and possible causes of the smoke. Some meetings may be shifted to alternate rooms, but most events are expected to continue as planned.

The quick response from the fire department and on-site staff helped prevent a much larger disaster. Climate activists, who had gathered outside the venue during the evacuation, praised the authorities but called for tighter safety checks, especially as thousands of people continue to visit the summit each day.

Overall, while the fire caused tension and temporary disruption, officials say the COP30 summit will move forward. The final day of negotiations is still expected to take place, and leaders hope to reach important climate decisions despite the unexpected emergency.