Belem COP30 Site Fire: Evacuations Underway, Operations Ongoing

Panic ensued at the COP30 climate summit venue in Belem, Brazil, when a fire erupted on Thursday. The fire, which started in a Blue Zone pavilion, led to the swift evacuation of attendees as flames and smoke became visible. Urgent calls for evacuation were broadcast by security staff, as captured in widely shared videos online. Emergency responders, including multiple ambulance crews and firefighting units, arrived promptly. Firefighting efforts are currently in full swing to control and extinguish the blaze. Authorities have confirmed that there is no information currently available regarding any injuries or fatalities. This incident occurs while high-level discussions continue at COP30, including vital talks on fossil fuel transitions and the development of a comprehensive climate roadmap. The COP30 Presidency has also signaled potential progress on fossil fuel guidance by 2026.