A massive fire tore through a section of the COP30 climate summit venue in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday afternoon, triggering a large-scale evacuation of thousands of delegates and halting crucial negotiations. The incident sent panic across the Blue Zone, the core operational hub of the global climate conference, where negotiations, country pavilions, media centres and top-level offices are located.
Authorities confirmed that at least 21 people required medical assistance, most of them for smoke inhalation. The blaze, which erupted around 2 pm, was brought under control within six minutes, but the rapid spread of flames and thick clouds of smoke caused significant alarm among participants.
Fire Breaks Out Inside The Blue Zone
According to initial assessments by local fire officials, the blaze likely originated from an electrical appliance possibly a microwave inside the pavilion area. The flames quickly moved through decorative textiles lining the temporary tent structure, forcing security personnel to form human barriers and guide delegates toward exit gates.
Videos circulating on social media showed people fleeing the Blue Zone as heavy black smoke rose high above the venue. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was on-site, was swiftly escorted out by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security. India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and the Indian delegation were also inside the Blue Zone at the time but exited safely.
The Brazilian Ministry of Health stated that, of the 21 cases recorded, 19 were related to smoke inhalation and two to anxiety episodes. Twelve patients were discharged shortly after treatment, while others continued to receive care at local medical facilities.
Six-Hour Shutdown Halts Negotiations
In response, authorities temporarily closed the entire venue for an extensive safety inspection. For more than six hours, all meetings were suspended, and the Blue Zone ceased to operate as a UN-controlled space, with the Brazilian fire service taking over.
The summit venue reopened at 8:40 pm after security clearance, though the country pavilion area Zone B where the fire erupted will remain shut for the rest of the conference. The Green Zone, reserved for exhibitions and public events, was not affected and continued functioning throughout the day.
“There will be no plenary activity this evening,” the COP30 Presidency and UNFCCC said in a joint update. “All plenary sessions tomorrow will be open to all parties and observers, fully live-streamed, and usual communication measures will continue.”
Uncertainty Over Climate Deal Timeline
The temporary suspension of negotiations added uncertainty to the already intense final stretch of the conference. With the summit scheduled to conclude on Friday, negotiators now face a tighter window to finalise a climate deal.
Despite the disruption, COP30 organisers expressed confidence that the summit could still reach a successful outcome. “We still have substantial work ahead, and we trust that delegates will return with solidarity and determination,” the joint statement said.
UNDSS, in a flash report issued immediately after the incident, praised the swift response of security teams who used extinguishers until firefighters arrived. It also confirmed that all UN personnel were accounted for and that no UN staff members were injured.
Detailed Safety Checks And Aftermath
As part of the emergency protocol, the entire venue was handed over to Brazilian authorities for full safety verification. Until reopening, the area was no longer classified as a UN Blue Zone.
The sight of thick black smoke billowing from the tented structure, visible from kilometres away, underscored the scale of the emergency at one of the world’s most important climate summits.
With the venue now operating at limited capacity and delegates returning to discussions, attention has shifted back to negotiations but the incident has left a lasting imprint on COP30, reminding participants of the fragile infrastructure underpinning global climate diplomacy.