A fire at the COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belem triggered a full-scale evacuation on Thursday, disrupting critical final negotiations. Officials confirmed the blaze was brought under control, but uncertainty remains over when delegates can return to the main conference hall.
Brazil’s Tourism Minister told reporters at the venue that the situation was contained and that no injuries had been reported. However, he could not confirm whether negotiations would resume later Thursday or on Friday. Summit organisers supported this assessment, noting that Brazilian fire officials had mandated the complete evacuation of the summit premises as a safety precaution.
A fire broke out at the COP30 climate summit venue in Belem, Brazil, prompting thousands of delegates to evacuate just as negotiators were working to finalize a climate deal https://t.co/r6oG77Mki3 pic.twitter.com/AZsrUVBWCQ
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 20, 2025The fire alarm sent a siren throughout the conference centre, prompting delegates, observers, and journalists to exit the building swiftly. Police established a security perimeter to prevent access to the affected area. Television footage from the scene showed visible flames and smoke inside the venue, which is located on the grounds of a former airport.
A fire erupted inside the packed United Nations climate summit in Belém, Brazil, on Thursday, forcing a panicked evacuation of thousands of delegates just as negotiations reached their final days #cop30 https://t.co/3JruTblN3S pic.twitter.com/a8VhvmRT98
— Bloomberg (@business) November 20, 2025This disruption comes at a critical juncture for the summit, which was already behind schedule. The conference in the Amazon city was initially set to conclude on Friday but had missed a self-imposed Wednesday deadline to reach a global agreement on key issues, including climate finance and the transition away from fossil fuels.
The fire incident adds to a tense atmosphere that has characterised the two-week conference. Since COP30 began, the event has seen multiple protests from activists demanding more urgent climate action and stronger protections for forests, which have occasionally interrupted official talks. The evacuation represents the most significant disruption to the proceedings to date.
