A massive fire broke out at the site of the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, forcing thousands of delegates to evacuate just as negotiators worked to finalize a climate deal. At least 21 people were injured. Several videos of the incident have surfaced on social media.
According to Reuters, 13 people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Local firefighters said it was likely caused by an electrical device, possibly a microwave oven, and was controlled within six minutes.
Thousands of delegates were evacuated as security personnel formed a human barrier across the corridor.
What we know so far
The fire broke out at around 2pm on Thursday in the “Blue Zone”, which houses all meetings, meetings, country pavilions, the media center and offices of all important dignitaries, including the main plenary hall.
As word of the fire spread, people ran out of all the exit gates for safety.
Authorities closed the venue for a thorough security check and reopened after more than six hours at 8.40pm, minus the country pavilions – the area that caught fire.
“…according to updated data as of 6:00 p.m. this Thursday, 21 people received medical attention as a result of the fire that hit the blue zone of the event,” Brazil’s health ministry said in a statement.
Of the total number of cases, 19 are related to smoke inhalation and two to anxiety episodes after the incident. No persons were reported to have suffered burns from the flames, he added.
“The patients were given immediate assistance and 12 have already been discharged. The remaining individuals are receiving proper care at health facilities in Belem and at the designated referral unit for such cases,” the statement said.
City, state and federal medical teams continue to monitor and monitor medical assistance and the medical condition of those affected, he added.
It was learned that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was present at the scene and was immediately evacuated by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).
India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav was also present with an Indian delegation inside the blue zone when the fire broke out, but he and other officials left the site safely, a ministry spokesperson told PTI.
In an email to all attendees, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said that following a comprehensive security assessment, the venue had been thoroughly inspected and deemed completely safe.
“Brazilian authorities have restored all working conditions in the conference premises, secured post-fire operation permits from the fire brigade and formally returned the area to the UNFCCC,” it added.
The Blue Zone has now been restored to full operational status and reopened from 8.40pm. All accredited COP participants now have access to the COP30 venue in the usual ways.
However, the area of the pavilion (Zone B) directly affected by the fire will remain inaccessible for the rest of the conference, which is scheduled to end on Friday.
“There will be no plenary activity this evening. All plenary sessions tomorrow will be open to all parties and observers and will be fully live-streamed, and all usual measures to keep parties, observers and the media informed of the proceedings will continue,” the email said.
The cancellation of the remaining business a day earlier created uncertainty about the timely completion of the summit, with major negotiations still needed to produce a final plan before the final day of the summit on Friday.
The UN COP30 Bureau, which is organizing the summit, and the UNFCCC said in a joint statement: “We still have considerable work ahead of us and we believe that delegates will return to the negotiations in a spirit of solidarity and determination to ensure a successful outcome of this COP.”
Both sides said in an earlier statement that firefighters and UN security officers responded quickly and the fire was under control in about six minutes.
“People have been safely evacuated. As a precautionary measure, the Brazilian government and the UNFCCC have jointly decided to temporarily close the blue zone while firefighters carry out a comprehensive safety assessment,” it said.
The fire did not affect the “Green Zone”, where various stalls and exhibitions were organized, and it remains open and activities continue as planned, he added.
Meanwhile, the UNDSS said in a “Flash Report” for its members immediately after the incident that the fire quickly spread to the decorative textiles covering the sides and roof of the structure.
“Security personnel immediately intervened with fire extinguishers before the arrival of firefighters. The fire was fully under control,” it added.
Panic broke out during the incident as people started leaving the area. Uniformed UNDSS personnel provided guidance and initiated an orderly evacuation.
“The UN Secretary General was present at the scene and was immediately evacuated by a UNDSS protection officer.
“A number of personnel have been activated and all UNSMS (United Nations Security Management System) organizations have confirmed that their personnel are responsible and safe. There are no reports of injuries among UNSMS personnel or participants. The affected area remains closed at this time,” the report said.
In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the UNFCCC Secretariat issued an urgent advisory asking everyone to evacuate the venue.
Host country Brazil has taken over the entire venue, which has temporarily ceased to be a UN site until it reopens.
“The fire chief of the host country has ordered the evacuation of the entire site. The fire service will carry out full safety checks,” the UNFCCC said in an updated bulletin.
“The premises are now under the administration of the host country and are no longer considered a blue zone,” he added.
Huge clouds of black smoke billowed from the temporary tent, erected to host the annual global event to set plans to protect the Earth by preventing climate change. The smoke could be seen for several kilometers.
Minutes after the fire, heavy rains lashed the area, creating a difficult situation for thousands of attendees who came out of the venue.
Negotiators from more than 190 countries gathered here for the UNFCCC’s annual Conference of the Parties (COP). The COP30 summit takes place in the Brazilian city of Belem in the Amazon region from November 10 to 21.
