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COP30 Blue Zone fire
A fire erupted on Nov. 20 inside the COP30 Blue Zone in Belém, Brazil, the UN-controlled main venue for the summit.
“The blaze... was controlled in about six minutes after security and firefighters responded and used extinguishers.”
The blaze forced a rapid evacuation of delegates, staff and media while organizers closed the site for a safety assessment.
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.
Pavilion fire evacuation
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.
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.
Summit disruption and safety review
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.
“...briefly disrupted tense ministerial negotiations on fossil fuels, climate finance and trade with one day left of the two-week summit.”
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.
Temporary venue safety concerns
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.
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.
Conflicting reports on fire
Accounts differ on the blaze's exact origin and on suggested causes.
“Brazil’s tourism minister, Celso Sabino, said the cause is under investigation but likely a plugged-in cell phone, and some reports (unconfirmed) pointed to the Indian pavilion.”
Some outlets report the fire began in a pavilion area behind a specific stand.
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.