Fire breaks out at COP30 venue in Brazil’s Belém, no injuries reported

A fire broke out at the venue of the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, The Guardian reported.

According to initial information, no one was injured. Participants and staff were evacuated from the pavilion where the blaze started. Fire crews arrived quickly, and the flames were extinguished after dozens of specialists worked on the scene.

Brazil’s tourism minister, Celso Sabino, said investigators would determine the cause but added he doubted the incident was intentional.

The fire heightened tensions at the summit as negotiations were entering their final stage.

Jess Vesponte, a climate activist from the United States, said the “tragic fire that disrupted UN climate work and the People’s Plenary became, unfortunately, a stark metaphor”.