Fire breaks out at Brazil’s COP30 climate summit venue

BELEM (Brazil): A massive fire broke out inside a pavilion at the COP30 climate summit venue in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday (local time), according to The New York Times.

The fire occurred in a pavilion inside a convention hall where more than 50,000 diplomats, journalists, and activists had gathered for the global climate summit. No injuries have been reported so far, and the cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed.

– BREAKING: Fire Breaks Out in Pavilion at COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil

A fire was reported on Thursday, November 20, in one of the pavilions hosting the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Security personnel ordered the immediate… pic.twitter.com/qZB7zvtzwz

— The Informant (@theinformant_x) November 20, 2025

The blaze began around 2 pm and filled the convention centre with smoke, forcing delegates to evacuate. Initially, an official from the Summit Presidency said the fire had been contained for about 30 minutes, The New York Times reported.

By 3 pm, people started returning to the convention centre, but officials escorted them back out, saying evacuation was still in progress. At 4.20 pm, the COP Presidency announced that the fire had been contained “with limited damage”.

WATCH:#SurveillanceCamera footage showing moment #fire started at #COP30 venue#Brazil #Belem https://t.co/b1UtTCloE0 pic.twitter.com/zsNn1dEJET

— ShanghaiEyeofficial (@ShanghaiEye) November 21, 2025

Thousands of people from nearly 200 countries have arrived in Belem to debate and agree on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are dangerously heating the planet in the COP 30 summit.

Last week, the summit venue came under criticism after torrential rain leaked into the meeting spaces, dripping on delegates. There were also complaints of food shortages, and air conditioners also continued to struggle from the high heat and humidity. (ANI)