A sudden fire at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, on Thursday led to an urgent evacuation of delegates and staff. The blaze, which ignited within a pavilion, rapidly filled parts of the convention center with smoke, triggering emergency sirens. Thousands of participants were safely moved out of the affected areas as fire services arrived and contained the situation efficiently. Reports indicate the fire was extinguished in a matter of minutes and is suspected to be linked to electrical issues, such as a malfunctioning microwave. While minor smoke inhalation cases were treated for thirteen individuals, no major injuries have been reported. The summit, a vital gathering for over 50,000 global stakeholders negotiating climate action, faced a temporary pause in its crucial talks. The venue has previously seen operational difficulties, including flooding and air conditioning problems. Organizers plan to resume the summit’s agenda upon completion of necessary safety checks.
