Blaze In Brazil: Fire Disrupts COP30 Venue, Prompting Panic And Evacuation

A fire broke out on Thursday at the expansive venue designated for the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, causing panic among personnel and delegates and necessitating a rapid evacuation from

parts of the site. The incident occurred in a section of the Hangar Convention Centre, the primary location for the major United Nations climate conference scheduled for November 2025.

While the incident did not result in any immediate reports of serious injuries, the smoke and resulting disruption highlighted serious concerns over safety and preparedness for the massive international event. According to local fire department officials, the fire originated in a non-critical area of the complex, possibly in a technical or storage section undergoing preparatory work. Teams were deployed swiftly to the site, and the blaze was brought under control after approximately an hour, preventing any major structural damage to the main convention halls.

A fire spread through pavilions being used for U.N. climate talks in Brazil and prompted evacuations Thursday on the next-to-last day of the conference but nobody was hurt, officials said. pic.twitter.com/p5l6Ew5fZD

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 20, 2025

The venue, currently undergoing extensive renovations and upgrades to accommodate the thousands of world leaders, negotiators, activists, and journalists expected to attend COP30, had a significant number of construction workers and early coordination teams present. Witnesses described scenes of sudden alarm as smoke began to fill the corridors, leading to a hurried but orderly evacuation as per emergency protocols.

The state government of Pará, which encompasses Belém, issued a statement confirming the incident and initiating an immediate investigation into the cause, though preliminary reports suggest it may have been an electrical fault or a mishap related to ongoing construction. Authorities quickly sought to reassure international stakeholders that the incident would not compromise the timeline for the preparations.

The timing of the fire is particularly sensitive, as the global focus is increasingly turning towards Brazil’s Amazon region, which will host the crucial climate talks next year.