Fire Erupts at COP30 in Belém, Forcing Evacuation and Delaying Crucial Climate Talks

A fire broke out inside the COP30 summit site in Belém, Brazil, on Thursday, burning through part of the venue's fabric roof and triggering a panicked evacuation as negotiators entered a critical phase of talks.

The blaze rapidly spread across several pavilions, tearing a hole in the canopy and filling corridors with acrid smoke. Security teams moved quickly and extinguished the fire in roughly six minutes, and officials described the damage as limited. The venue was closed for the remainder of the day and was not expected to reopen before 8:00 pm (2300 GMT). Thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters and ambulances converged on the site as thick smoke poured from the large tents and permanent structures that host tens of thousands of delegates, journalists and activists attending the two-week conference. Organizers said emergency crews responded promptly and brought the blaze under control.

Witness accounts and response

Kimberly Humphrey, an emergency medicine physician attending the summit with Doctors for the Environment Australia, said she was in a meeting when alerts went off. Outside, she smelled burning plastic and found no alarms or whistles—only people running and shouting as they evacuated. Humphrey helped at a medical center treating attendees for shock and smoke inhalation.

"It wasn't what you expect at a conference," she said, describing an initial sense of disbelief and confusion about exits and emergency procedures. Other attendees reported panic and disarray as people sought safe exits.

Possible cause and prior concerns

Brazilian Tourism Minister Celso Sabino said investigators were examining the cause and that an electrical short circuit or malfunction was a possible explanation. Earlier in the summit, several delegates had raised concerns about sweltering conditions, faulty air-conditioning and water leaks near lighting fixtures during heavy tropical downpours.

Two women who work in an international organization's pavilion reported improvised electrical wiring, exposed cables and water dripping onto electrical panels. They said they had reported those hazards but saw no immediate corrective action. A source close to the event organization said these operational difficulties before COP30 began may have increased expectations that incidents could occur.

Impact on negotiations

The interruption came on the penultimate day of the summit, as ministers and negotiators were trying to break a deadlock over a proposed roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, climate finance for developing countries, and trade-related measures. Some delegations continued meetings virtually while formal negotiations were paused.

"It will absolutely delay the process because this is the crucial time when we have to decide on the process that started last week," said Windyo Laksono of the Indonesian delegation, noting negotiators had to stop mid-discussion when the fire alarm prompted evacuation.

Negotiators warned the situation remained volatile as they sought agreement on emissions-reduction pledges, financing mechanisms and the pace of the energy transition. Earlier on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged delegates that "the world is watching" and pressed them to reach an ambitious compromise.

What happens next

Organizers said a full assessment of damage and safety systems would follow and that normal operations would resume only after officials were satisfied the venue was safe. Investigations into wiring and safety protocols are expected to inform any immediate corrective measures to prevent similar incidents for the remainder of the conference.