By Abbas Nazil
A fire outbreak inside a pavilion at the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, triggered a rushed evacuation on Thursday as delegates scrambled for safety.
Witnesses reported sudden shouts of “fire!” echoing through the corridors as thick smoke quickly filled the passageways, prompting hundreds of participants to run toward the nearest exits.
Security personnel immediately blocked off access to the affected pavilion while grabbing fire extinguishers in an attempt to contain the flames before emergency crews arrived.
According to on-site observers, smoke spread rapidly both inside and outside the conference building, intensifying the panic as people attempted to navigate through the haze.
Firefighters reached the scene shortly after the alarm was raised, pushing through the smoky corridor to locate the source of the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighboring sections of the massive venue.
The incident occurred at a critical moment in the conference, with ministers and negotiators deeply engrossed in discussions aimed at resolving contentious issues surrounding fossil fuel phase-outs, climate finance commitments, and evolving international trade measures linked to environmental policy.
Delegates described the disruption as alarming but expressed relief that the evacuation was carried out smoothly despite the confusion and overcrowding in some exit areas.
AFP journalists present at the venue said many participants abandoned personal items as they hurried outdoors, some coughing while others used pieces of clothing to cover their noses from the smoke.
Security officers moved swiftly to cordon off the perimeter around the pavilion, urging participants to stay clear while crews assessed the damage and ensured that no further threats remained within the facility.
The fire added unexpected tension to an already intense summit, where negotiations had stretched late into the night in a bid to avoid a deadlock before the official close of the two-week conference.
Authorities have not yet released an official cause of the fire, and no injuries were immediately reported, though medical teams were on standby to assist those who experienced distress during the evacuation.
The COP30 host city of Belém has been under high security throughout the event due to the massive influx of delegates, climate activists, government representatives, and journalists from around the world, making the fire incident a serious concern for organizers.
Participants waiting outside the building expressed hope that the disruption would be resolved quickly so negotiations could resume, emphasizing the urgency of reaching global agreements on climate action as the conference nears its conclusion.
The United Nations is expected to provide an update once the investigation into the cause and extent of the fire is complete, with further guidance on safety measures for the remaining days of COP30.
