Web Desk (MNN); Participants at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2025 (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, were evacuated on Thursday after a fire erupted inside the venue.
Brazil’s Tourism Minister Celso Sabino confirmed that no one was injured and downplayed the incident during a press briefing, saying the blaze was minor and the situation was quickly contained. He described such incidents as possible at any large-scale event.
Organisers said the evacuation was swift and the fire was extinguished within six minutes, causing only limited damage. According to a joint statement by the UN and COP30 leadership, thirteen people received treatment for smoke inhalation.
The affected section, known as the Blue Zone, will remain closed until 8pm local time (23:00 GMT). Authorities are still determining the cause, though Para state governor Helder Barbalho suggested a generator malfunction or short circuit might have sparked the blaze.
Barbalho assured on social media that the rest of the conference activities were continuing normally, with the Green Zone remaining operational. Reports of flames first emerged around 2pm local time (17:00 GMT) from inside the Blue Zone pavilion, a restricted area used by accredited media and negotiators.
Videos circulated online showed attendees rushing to exit the area as security personnel ordered an immediate evacuation. Independent journalist Fernando Ralfer Oliveira, who was inside the Blue Zone, shared footage and recounted how people started running when the fire broke out. Security officials quickly moved in and redirected evacuees to the outdoor food court.
About an hour after the incident, the UNFCCC emailed participants stating that local fire authorities would conduct thorough safety inspections. Officials later confirmed the Blue Zone would remain under the host country’s control and no longer function as part of the conference area for the time being.
The incident occurred a week after the UN had expressed concerns regarding safety arrangements at COP30. On November 13, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell wrote to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, highlighting issues such as faulty doors and water leaks near electrical systems.
The Brazilian government responded that all UN safety requirements had since been fulfilled, including reinforcing security between the Blue and Green Zones.
