Fire breaks out at Brazil’s COP30 climate conference venue.

A fire broke out on Thursday at the main venue of the ongoing UN COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, after which thousands of people had to flee from there. 13 people have been injured in this incident. The fire broke out at around 2 pm (local time) in the Blue Zone, where all meetings, talks and country pavilions, media centers and offices of all high-level representatives are held.

As soon as the news of the fire spread, people started running out of the exit doors. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat issued an urgent advisory and appealed to all people to evacuate the venue.

Thirteen people were treated at the scene due to smoke inhalation, the UN COP30 presidency and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is organizing the summit, said in a joint statement. His condition is being monitored and appropriate medical assistance has been provided.

It is being told that United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present at the venue and the security team of the United Nations Security Department (UNDSS) immediately took him out. India’s Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav was also present with the Indian delegation in the Blue Zones at the time of the fire, but a ministry spokesperson said he and other officials evacuated the venue safely.

The joint statement said the fire department and UN security officials responded immediately and the fire was brought under control in about six minutes. A security officer said that investigation is going on in the entire area, so no one has been allowed to go inside.

He said that there is no immediate information about any casualty and the situation is currently being assessed. Representatives of more than 190 countries have gathered here for the Annual Conference of the UNFCCC (COP). The COP30 summit is being held in the Brazilian city of Belém from 10 to 21 November.

The statement further said that the fire has not affected the ‘green zone’, where various stalls and exhibitions are organised. The cancellation of many programs has created uncertainty over the timely completion of the summit.

Meanwhile, UNDSS said that during the incident, chaos broke out as some people left the area. Staff headcount has been initiated and all UNSMS (United Nations Security Management System) organizations have confirmed that their staff are safe and well. There are no reports of injuries to UNSMS staff or participants. The affected area is closed at this time.

The host country’s fire chief has ordered the evacuation of the entire complex, the UNFCCC said in an updated bulletin. The fire service will carry out a full safety check and is expected to provide an update by 4pm. It further said, the campus is now under the jurisdiction of the host country and is no longer considered a Blue Zone.

In its third bulletin on the fire incident, the UNFCC commended the delegates for their prompt evacuation from the venue. It further said that the fire has been brought under control with limited damage. Delegates are informed that the venue will not reopen before 8 pm. Further information will be given soon.

Clouds of black smoke were rising from the temporary tents set up to organize this annual global event organized to prepare a roadmap to protect the Earth by stopping climate change. The smoke could be seen from several kilometers away. Within minutes of the fire, heavy rain lashed the area, creating difficult conditions for thousands of attendees gathered outside the venue in the open.

Negotiators from more than 190 countries have gathered here for the annual conference (COP) of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC). The COP30 summit is being held in the Brazilian city of Belém in the Amazon region from 10 to 21 November.