Delegates flee COP30: Smoke, sirens and chaos as fire erupts at UN summit in Brazil | Watch

A screengrab from the video

A fire broke out inside the crowded UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, forcing thousands of delegates to rush out of the venue as chaos unfolded during the crucial final days of negotiations. Videos circulating on social media showed flames punching through the roof of one of the large tents hosting the summit.

There was no immediate confirmation of injuries. According to a source in the COP presidency, the fire had been brought under control by 2:20 p.m. local time.

The blaze erupted near the country pavilion zone, an area within the extensive COP30 site where nations showcase exhibitions and host informal interactions with delegates.

Happening now at #COP30 a section of the pavilion caught fire, firefighters are battling the flames, the extra heat here boasting the flames. Surely not the kind of ending we had anticipated. This temporary setback surely should not make the end
Praying for the safety of everyone pic.twitter.com/x7jUWHwuIO

— Dr Michael Terungwa David #Climate #Food #Justice (@miketerungwa) November 20, 2025

A fire that broke out inside the COP30 summit venue in Belem on Thursday was quickly brought under control, and no injuries were reported, Brazilian Tourism Minister Celso Sabino said. The cause of the blaze remains unclear.

Firefighters rushed to the scene as thick smoke billowed inside and around the conference area, which is being hosted in large tents on the edge of the Amazon and has drawn tens of thousands of attendees.

“Firefighters and security teams responded promptly and continue to monitor the site,” Brazil's COP30 organizers said in a statement.

The fire began in a country pavilion located inside the summit’s “blue zone,” near the entrance to the venue. Light rain that followed drew cheers from people waiting outside.

The incident unfolded as ministers were engaged in intense negotiations to resolve deadlocks over fossil fuels, climate finance and trade measures, with just one day remaining in the two-week conference.

Mauricio Lyrio, head of the Brazilian delegation, said he was signing an agreement with a third country when he was asked to evacuate. He added that his team does not expect to return to the site on Thursday.

*With Agency Inputs