BELEM, BRAZIL – Chaos erupted at the United Nations COP30 climate summit when a sudden fire broke out in the ‘Blue Zone’, the main and highly secure area of the conference venue. The incident triggered a rapid evacuation as thousands of delegates, officials, journalists, and staff rushed to safety. So far, there have been no reports of any casualties or injuries.
Incident in the Heart of the Summit
According to officials, the fire started around 2:00 PM in the area housing all the crucial bilateral and multilateral meeting rooms, country pavilions, the media center, and offices for top global delegates. This zone is also part of the main plenary hall, where key negotiations on climate change are being held.
As news of the fire spread, security personnel opened all exit gates and began evacuating people. Attendees reported that an alert was issued through the venue’s information system, leading to the swift evacuation of the entire complex.
Emergency Response and Investigation
The local administration confirmed that additional fire engines were dispatched to bring the blaze under control. Authorities stated that all safety protocols were activated and an investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.
The UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) immediately issued an alert, instructing everyone to evacuate the site. The message read: “Attention: A fire incident has occurred in Zone B. Please evacuate the premises immediately. Further information will be provided soon.”
Situation Under Control
A UN security official stated that the fire has been extinguished, but no one is being permitted to re-enter the area yet due to ongoing safety checks. The official confirmed that a full assessment of the situation is being conducted and reiterated that there are no reports of injuries.
The COP30 climate conference, being held in the Amazonian city of Belem from November 10 to November 21, is being attended by representatives from over 190 countries. The proceedings are expected to continue following the all-clear from security officials.
