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On November 20, 2025 (the penultimate day of the conference), a fire broke out in the Blue Zone of the COP30 venue in Belém, Pará, Brazil.
The venue, a large temporary structure built on a former airfield (Hangar Convention and Trade Fair Center), featured tent-like pavilions for country exhibits and side events.
The fire started between 2:00 and 2:15 p.m. local time in the Countries Pavilion, near the pavilions of China, East Africa, and others.
Possible causes included an electrical fault, such as a short circuit, an overloaded outlet, a malfunctioning generator, or an overheated appliance, such as a microwave. The flames ripped through the canvas roof, creating a visible hole and filling part of the venue with smoke. Immediate Impact and Response
The sirens triggered the immediate evacuation of thousands of delegates, negotiators, journalists, and staff (more than 50,000 summit attendees in total).
Eyewitnesses described panic, with people running and shouting “fire!” in various languages, and some chaos as the crowd made its way to the exits. The entire Blue Zone (the restricted area for official negotiations) was closed for security checks.
Firefighters and on-site personnel extinguished the fire in approximately 6 minutes using extinguishers and hoses. Damage was limited to the pavilion area, with no structural collapse.
Thirteen people received on-site medical attention for smoke inhalation (some first responders and attendees were exposed to toxic fumes). Some required oxygen, but no serious injuries or hospitalizations were reported.
The Blue Zone remained closed for approximately seven hours (until around 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. local time) while firefighters conducted inspections. Negotiations were interrupted during this period, leading to the postponement of scheduled meetings.
The incident occurred during a critical phase: COP30 had already missed Wednesday’s deadline for reaching key agreements on climate finance, roadmaps for the transition away from fossil fuels, and updated national contributions (NCDs).
The fire delayed consultations on draft texts (including Brazil’s decision on fossil fuels, known as “mutirão”) and forced some debates to be moved online or postponed. Since the summit was scheduled to end on November 21, the incident increased the pressure and the possibility of extending the schedule (a common occurrence at COPs).
The incident intensified existing criticism of Brazil’s organization of the summit: the UN had expressed concerns about the infrastructure before the summit (e.g., electrical hazards, leaks, faulty doors).
The temporary installation of tents in a hot and humid Amazonian region was subject to scrutiny regarding security. The media highlighted the irony: a climate summit interrupted by a fire amid discussions on extreme weather and emissions.
Videos on social media showing flames and evacuations went viral, with some commentators joking about the tense climate talks or the summit “turning to ashes.” This overshadowed positive aspects such as the discussions focused on the Amazon, but did not lead to the complete cancellation of the event.
The venue reopened on the evening of November 20, allowing for a limited resumption of activities. Full plenary sessions resumed on November 21, and negotiations continued toward a final agreement.
There is no evidence of arson or malicious intent; authorities attribute it to an accidental electrical problem at a high-demand temporary facility.
The incident turned out to be minor—quickly brought under control and with no fatalities—but it highlighted the risks of large-scale events in makeshift facilities with tight deadlines. It could prompt a review of the standards for organizing the COP (for example, fire safety in temporary structures).
Ultimately, the fire caused a dramatic but temporary disruption, rather than bringing the summit to a halt. COP30 focused on its main objectives: improving climate finance, increasing funding for adaptation, and advancing (or stalling) legislation on phasing out fossil fuels. The event highlighted both the urgency of climate action and the real challenges of organizing global negotiations in vulnerable regions like the Amazon.
It was an isolated incident in an already tense and delayed conference, not a catastrophe that would definitively paralyze COP30.
