A fire erupted at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, forcing evacuations, injuring several people, and disrupting critical negotiations on global climate action. The blaze, which sent huge columns of smoke into the air, was extinguished within minutes, but not before causing panic and halting talks in their final hours.
The UN climate talks COP30 were thrown into chaos when a fire broke out inside the venue, prompting a swift evacuation of thousands of attendees. BBC journalists on the scene reported seeing flames and smoke in the pavilion area before being rushed outside as fire engines raced to the location. The UN confirmed that the fire was extinguished after just six minutes, but 13 people required treatment for smoke inhalation, with the cause of the blaze still under investigation. Initial reports suggest it may have started in one of the country pavilions, possibly due to an electrical fault.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the fire rapidly intensified. Dr. Harshita Umesh, who was giving a talk adjacent to where the fire began, recounted how the flames climbed the walls and ceiling, causing people to scream and flee in panic. She noted that she tripped and fell during the evacuation, and ambulance staff informed her that first responders had inhaled toxic fumes, necessitating oxygen masks. Emergency medicine specialist Kimberly Humphrey, assisting at the COP medical centre, confirmed that injuries were mainly from smoke inhalation, with one person suffering a lung injury, and many attendees left traumatized and shocked by the event.
BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt captured the immediacy of the situation, describing a ‘huge panic’ as UN security guards ordered everyone to leave the premises. He observed ‘huge columns of smoke rising up into the air through the hole that’s been burnt in the top of the conference centre,’ highlighting the intensity of the blaze. More than 90 minutes after the fire started, ambulances were still arriving, and a Brazilian security officer locked the gates, emphasizing the need for a full evacuation and safety assessment.
The fire occurred during the crucial final stages of the COP30 negotiations, where nearly 200 countries were working to agree on next steps to tackle climate change, including issues like emissions reductions and climate finance. A member of the UK delegation revealed that the talks were abruptly halted, with many participants forced to take shelter under the roof of a nearby petrol station. This disruption threatens to delay the closing of any potential deal, adding uncertainty to global efforts to address the climate crisis and potentially undermining momentum built over the days of discussions.
In response, authorities are conducting thorough safety checks, with the UN temporarily handing over control of the summit to Brazilian officials. The fire brigade is assessing the venue to determine when and if negotiations can resume, while the incident has raised questions about emergency preparedness at large international events. The UN, which runs the COP meetings, stated that the summit remains closed for now, with thousands of delegates, including members from around the world, left waiting outside in high temperatures and humidity.
COP30, held in a former aerodrome in Belém, represents a pivotal moment for global climate action, bringing together diverse stakeholders to forge agreements on mitigating and adapting to climate change. The fire not only poses immediate safety risks but also risks derailing progress on key issues, such as funding for vulnerable nations and technology transfer. The timing of the incident, during high-stakes negotiations, underscores the vulnerabilities of such gatherings and the need for robust contingency plans in the face of unforeseen events.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on when the talks can reconvene and whether the disruption will impact the final outcomes. The UN and host country Brazil must ensure the venue’s safety while managing the logistical challenges of resuming discussions, possibly under tightened security. This event may prompt reviews of safety protocols at future climate summits, as the world continues to grapple with the escalating impacts of climate change and the urgency of collaborative action.
