Massive fire breaks out at Cop30 climate summit venue in Brazil, 13 hospitalised for smoke inhalation | Watch

The Cop30 climate summit was disrupted in Brazil on Thursday after a massive fire broke out at the venue, prompting a swift evacuation. The fire occurred while negotiators were preparing to attempt to secure a deal to strengthen international efforts to address the climate crisis.

According to The Guardian,13 people were rushed to the hospital and were being treated for smoke inhalation. The fire broke out in the pavilion area of the conference centre in Belém, Brazil . The authorities noted that the cause of the fire, which was brought under control within minutes, was being investigated. However, it was believed to be an electrical device, probably a microwave, Reuters reported, citing the local fire department.

“Earlier today, a fire broke out in the blue zone of the Cop30 venue in Belém,” the UN organiser’s statement said. “The fire department and UN security officers responded swiftly, and the fire was controlled in approximately six minutes. People were evacuated safely."

“Thirteen individuals were treated on site for smoke inhalation. Their condition is being monitored, and appropriate medical support has been provided," the statement further reads. The video of the massive fury overtaking the venue soon started to circulate online.

Fire causes schedule disruption

According to The Guardian, the entire venue had to be cleared shortly after 2 pm (local time). It was likely to be several hours before any delegates were allowed to return. However, the incident has now thrown a carefully choreographed series of meetings into confusion.

On Thursday, the Cop30 presidency was preparing to draft a new text of the “mutirão” decision, a central plan for the hoped-for outcome of Cop30, which contained a potential commitment to draw up a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. Regarding this, the presidency was holding a series of crucial meetings with the main negotiating groups.

On the same day, the Alliance of Small Island States was due to meet the presidency shortly before 4 pm (local time), but that was cancelled. The European Union was also due to hold a ministerial coordination meeting at 6 pm (local time) before meeting the presidency at 9 pm (local time), but that timetable was thrown into doubt.

While the summit was scheduled to finish on Friday, the severity of the incident has disrupted the stage of talks, with many wondering when they will be rescheduled. The incident took place the same day, António Guterres , the UN secretary general, had appealed for a deal from the summit, welcoming calls from some for clarity on the hotly disputed subject of weaning the world off fossil fuels.

With inputs from Reuters.