• Fire broke out at COP30 summit, leading to the evacuation of thousands of delegates.
• Thirteen people received treatment for smoke inhalation; no serious injuries reported.
• UN Chief Guterres urged countries to reach an agreement on climate issues prior to the fire.
• Negotiations were impacted just as crucial discussions about fossil fuels were underway.
• Brazil's Tourism Minister confirmed fire was likely caused by electrical equipment in a pavilion.

A fire unexpectedly erupted at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, on November 20, prompting a mass evacuation of thousands of delegates just before critical negotiations were set to resume. The blaze reportedly started near the China Pavilion and quickly spread to nearby structures filled with participants, causing widespread panic and confusion, according to NPR and Africanews.

The fire was controlled within approximately six minutes, but 13 attendees were treated for smoke inhalation, with urgency underlined by emergency services' dense response to the incident. Brazil's Tourism Minister Celso Sabino conveyed that the fire originated from electrical equipment, likely a microwave, which ignited within the heavily crowded pavilion venue, as reported by Channel News Asia and India Times.

This fire incident overshadowed calls from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for negotiators to finalize a deal to address pressing climate issues, as time was ticking down to the expected end of the summit. Guterres emphasized that, “the world is watching Belem,” urging countries to show good faith and commitment in their negotiations, highlighted in articles from Africanews and Channel News Asia.

Despite the efforts to control the situation, the fire forced a halt in discussions regarding vital issues such as fossil fuel transitions and climate finance. Delegates were restricted from returning to the negotiation areas until evening, effectively disrupting the final days of the conference, as discussed in reports from La Times and Africanews.

The overall safety conditions at the COP30 were questioned, as much of the venue was reportedly still under construction, which drew criticism prior to the fire. Observers noted that adequate safety measures are paramount in such high-stakes environments, with India Times and South China Morning Post highlighting ongoing concerns.