Name: Fire disrupts climate talks at COP30 in Brazil
Uploaded: 2025-11-21T14:50:57.569Z
Duration: 1 min 22 s
Description: The fire in the Blue Zone of the UN climate conference forced evacuations and stalled negotiations as the summit nears its end with many agreements yet to be made.

The fire in the Blue Zone of the UN climate conference forced evacuations and stalled negotiations as the summit nears its end with many agreements yet to be made.

Belém

A fire broke out at the United Nations Climate Summit (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, causing the temporary evacuation of attendees and a brief suspension of climate negotiations. Organizers confirmed that all participants were safely evacuated and that the affected area, known as the blue zone, was closed for safety checks before reopening later the same day.

The incident occurred as negotiators were working to reach consensus on key climate issues. According to local fire services, the fire was likely caused by an electrical device, possibly a microwave, and thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres had earlier urged countries to remain flexible and committed to achieving concrete results.

Fire disrupts climate talks at COP30 in Brazil

The fire broke out at the United Nations Climate Summit in Belém in Brazil, prompting evacuations and disrupting climate talks. The summit organiser said everyone was evacuated safely, but reported that the blue zone had been shut down temporarily to complete the necessary safety checks. The disruption came at a critical moment, as negotiators were struggling to reach a consensus on certain key topics. Before the fire broke out, UN Secretary-General António Guterres had urged countries to show willingness and flexibility to deliver concrete results. I think this is not the moment to talk about the possible failure of the COP. It is the moment to guarantee that that failure doesn't occur. And so I am perfectly convinced that a compromise is possible, that to take into account, as I mentioned, the legitimate concerns of adaptation and the legitimate concerns of mitigation. The local fire service said the cause of the fire was believed to be an electrical device, likely a microwave. Thirteen people were treated on site for smoke inhalation. The blue zone has since been reopened and continued operations late on Thursday.

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