COP30 Climate Talks Interrupted by Fire, Emergency Evacuation

The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, experienced a dramatic interruption on Thursday when a fire broke out at the venue, forcing a mass evacuation. As sirens blared, delegates fled a pavilion where thick smoke had begun to spread. Emergency responders were on the scene quickly and managed to extinguish the fire, which is thought to have been caused by electrical equipment, potentially a faulty microwave. The incident, occurring mid-afternoon, led to thirteen people being treated for smoke inhalation, with no reports of serious harm. This brief halt in proceedings affected the critical negotiations on global emissions reductions involving participants from nearly 200 countries. The summit, attended by over 50,000 people, has faced other infrastructure and logistical challenges. Organizers have stated that the climate conference will continue as scheduled once safety assurances are confirmed.