The UN climate talks COP30 have been evacuated due to a fire breaking out inside the venue in Belém, Brazil.
BBC journalists saw flames and smoke in the pavilion area before they were rushed outside, where fire engines raced past. The UN said the fire was extinguished after six minutes, and 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.
The talks were in their final hours, attempting to agree on next steps to tackle climate change, but the fire has disrupted negotiations and the discussions are currently paused.
Dr. Harshita Umesh, who was giving a talk nearby when the fire broke out, described a chaotic scene: It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling. People were screaming. Then I ran, I think I tripped and fell. Emergency responders reported inhalation of toxic fumes among the casualties. This incident has left participants feeling traumatized and shocked.
BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt reported significant panic, as attendees fled the building while UN security instructed them to evacuate. Eyewitness accounts suggested that the flames were intense, creating a dramatic scene with smoke rising through the damaged venue.
While the specific cause of the fire is still under investigation, initial speculation points towards an electrical malfunction. As hundreds waited outside amidst high humidity and temperatures, the Brazilian authorities took charge of the situation, assessing the venue for safety. The fire is expected to delay the ongoing negotiations on crucial climate agreements.
Participants from nearly 200 countries are gathered at COP30, aiming to forge pathways in addressing global climate change.
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