WORLD (Enmaeya News) – November 23, 2025

Climate talks at COP30 were interrupted on Thursday, 20 November, after a fire broke out inside the summit venue in Belém.

Flames and smoke were seen rising from the pavilion area, prompting security to rush delegates, journalists, and staff outside as fire engines arrived on site.

The fire was extinguished within six minutes, but 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation, including first responders who were exposed to toxic fumes. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although one eyewitness suggested it may have been electrical in origin.

Emergency medical teams treated people suffering from smoke-related breathing issues, and many delegates remained visibly shaken. Hundreds were left waiting outside in high heat and humidity, with some country teams taking temporary shelter under nearby structures.

The incident comes at a critical moment, with nearly 200 countries in the final stages of negotiations on next steps to address climate change. Brazilian authorities have taken control of the site to assess safety, and access to the venue remains restricted.

Thousands of participants are attending COP30, making the disruption one of the most dramatic moments of the summit to date.