Blaze Forces Evacuation at COP30 Blue Zone in Belém, Injures 13

A fire erupted on Nov. 20 inside the COP30 Blue Zone in Belém, Brazil, the UN-controlled main venue for the summit.

“Officials at the climate conference say the fire was contained within six minutes, and 13 attendees were treated for smoke inhalation”

Al Jazeera

The blaze forced a rapid evacuation of delegates, staff and media while organizers closed the site for a safety assessment.

Al Jazeera

Officials and multiple outlets reported the fire was brought under control in roughly six minutes and that all UN staff were accounted for.

Thirteen people were treated on site for smoke inhalation and there were no reported serious injuries.

The Blue Zone was temporarily closed pending a further update scheduled for 8pm local time, while the Green Zone remained open.

Witnesses and emergency teams described a chaotic and rapid evacuation as smoke filled corridors and people rushed for exits.

Several outlets reported that security personnel, volunteers and on-site technical staff used extinguishers and improvised warnings — whistles and word-of-mouth — to move people out because the temporary structure lacked an alarm or sprinkler system.

Azat TV

Footage and on-the-ground reports showed flames, a hole in the fabric roof and heavy smoke in pavilion corridors, while officials said the blaze was controlled quickly but some medical staff called the evacuation "terrifying" and said it was disorderly.

Organisers temporarily suspended sessions and closed the Blue Zone while negotiators were in the late stages of drafting text, an interruption several outlets said jeopardised critical talks on fossil fuels, climate finance and trade measures with only one day left of the summit.

“This video can not be played Watch: Fire breaks out at COP30 The UN climate talks COP30 have been evacuated due to a fire breaking out inside the venue in Belém, Brazil”

BBC

The UNFCCC and Brazilian authorities said they would conduct a comprehensive safety assessment and provide an evening update, creating uncertainty over whether the remaining agenda could be completed on schedule.

Several sources used the incident to criticise planning and safety standards at the temporary venue, highlighting the absence of alarms, sprinkler systems, evacuation drills and clear assembly points in a site hosting tens of thousands of participants.

Delegates and medical staff described the evacuation as disorderly and scary, and some commentators linked the apparent preparedness failures to broader concerns about how governments manage climate risks.

Bloom Pakistan

At the same time, official statements emphasised limited damage and an orderly accounting for staff, producing a tension between on-the-ground criticism and institutional reassurances.

Accounts differ on the blaze's exact origin and on suggested causes.

“Connect With Us Get BusinessLine apps on People use fire extinguishers to put out a fire at the Pavilion of Countries in the Blue Zone at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, November 20, 2025”

BusinessLine

Some outlets report the fire began in a pavilion area behind a specific stand.

BusinessLine

Others say the cause is unknown or suggest an electrical short or a plugged-in cell phone.

A few cited unconfirmed reports pointing toward a national pavilion.

These divergent attributions were reported as possibilities rather than established facts.

They were framed variably as investigative leads (Diari ARA, RTE.ie) or as on-scene observation (Renew Economy).

Authorities said the cause was under investigation.