Thousands of delegates scrambled for exits as flames tore through the COP30 venue in Brazil on Thursday, forcing a complete evacuation just hours before critical climate negotiations were set to conclude.
The blaze erupted around 2pm local time in the Blue Zone pavilion area of the Belem convention centre. Within minutes, thick black smoke filled corridors while security officers shouted warnings and directed panicked attendees toward emergency exits.
Thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation following the incident, though officials confirmed no serious injuries occurred.
Six-Minute Battle Against Flames
Fire crews controlled the blaze within approximately six minutes, according to a joint statement from Brazilian organisers and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Brazil’s Tourism Minister Celso Sabino told journalists the fire started near the China Pavilion before quickly spreading to neighbouring structures. Video footage captured by attendees showed massive flames consuming the fabric roofs of several pavilions.
“I was in the big corridor that leads to the meeting rooms when a commotion of people started running,” independent journalist Fernando Ralfer Oliveira told Al Jazeera.
Volunteer Gabi Andrade described seeing black smoke while exploring the Singapore pavilion. “A security guard grabbed her hand and showed her to the exit as she cried and screamed ‘fire’,” according to NPR.
NOW – Fire at COP30 “Climate Summit” in Brazil. pic.twitter.com/zL4942BxER
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Suspected Electrical Failure
Para state Governor Helder Barbalho told Brazilian channel GloboNews that authorities believe a generator failure or short circuit sparked the incident.
The timing couldn’t be worse. COP30 entered its penultimate day Thursday, with ministers racing to break deadlocks over fossil fuel transitions, climate finance commitments, and emissions reduction targets.
“It will absolutely delay the process because this is like the crucial time,” Indonesian delegation member Windyo Laksono told AFP. “Some of us were still negotiating inside the room but due to the fire I think the process will stop for a while.”
History of Safety Concerns
The fire caps a troubled fortnight for Brazil’s hosting of the landmark summit.
Just one week earlier, on November 13, UN climate chief Simon Stiell sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva raising serious safety issues ranging from faulty doors to water leaks near light fixtures.
The warnings came after Indigenous protesters breached security barriers and stormed the venue on November 12. Stiell’s letter cited insufficient security personnel, unsecured doors, and malfunctioning air conditioning creating health risks in the tropical heat.
Two women working in a pavilion told AFP that facilities had been fitted with makeshift electrical wiring, with exposed wires and water dripping from the roof onto electrical panels. They reported the issues but said nothing was done.
Much of the summit venue remained under construction right up until the conference opened, with exposed beams, open plywood floors, and incomplete infrastructure visible throughout.
Venue Remains Closed
The affected Blue Zone area was expected to remain closed until 8pm local time Thursday (11pm GMT) while fire officials conducted comprehensive safety checks.
The Blue Zone houses official negotiating rooms and accredited media areas. It’s distinct from the Green Zone, where civil society organisations and activists gather.
“We will find out what caused it, whether we can restart work here in the Blue Zone today or not,” Governor Barbalho wrote on social media. “The Green Zone is operating normally.”
Some delegates told AFP they were holding meetings virtually until formal negotiations could resume.
Minister Defends Brazil’s Reputation
Despite the chaos, Tourism Minister Sabino sought to downplay the severity.
“There was a small fire here, which is possible at any large event,” he told journalists. “This small fire could happen anywhere on planet Earth.”
He stressed there was “no possibility of cancelling the summit, which is proving to be a success“, emphasising the integrity of the climate discussion agenda.
Celso Sabino, Brazil’s Minister of Tourism
However, the incident raised fresh questions about Brazil’s preparedness to host such a significant international event. The country chose Belem, a city with limited infrastructure compared to larger urban centres, to showcase climate change impacts in the Amazon region.
That decision has resulted in accommodation shortages, unfinished pavilions, and payment system challenges for the 50,000 diplomats, journalists, and activists attending the two-week summit.
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What’s at Stake
The disruption comes at a pivotal moment. COP30 delegates are negotiating a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, proposed by host Brazil and supported by 80 countries.
Key issues include strengthening emissions reduction commitments, securing climate finance for developing nations, and addressing trade measures related to environmental protection.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was present at the venue and evacuated safely by UN security personnel.
The incident underscores the challenges of hosting major international events in environmentally sensitive regions with developing infrastructure, even as those locations symbolically represent the front lines of climate change impacts.
As smoke cleared and delegates awaited clearance to return, the question remained whether Brazil could restore confidence in the summit’s safety and organisation for its crucial final day.
