Fire breaks out in pavilion at COP30 venue in Brazil

A fire broke out inside a pavilion at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil's Belm on Thursday, forcing delegates to run for safety. The incident created chaos in one of the busiest areas of the UN conference as ministers from nearly 200 countries were engaged in talks over fossil fuels and climate.

According to news agency Reuters, the blaze erupted in a country pavilion located in the "blue zone" near the summit entrance. Footage showed flames and thick smoke rising inside the conference centre, which is set up in large temporary structures.

#COP30 is on fire pic.twitter.com/VWAIhjVrqm— Mike Szabo / @szabotage.bsky.social (@MikeSzaboCP) November 20, 2025