A fire broke out inside the COP30 climate summit venue in Belém, Brazil on Friday. Thousands of delegates were evacuated as smoke and flames spread through the pavilion area.
BBC reporters saw fire and thick smoke before security rushed people outside. Fire crews arrived within minutes. The Brazilian government says the blaze is now under control. No injuries have been confirmed.
Witnesses described panic as the fire climbed the walls and reached the ceiling. “People were screaming,” said Dr Harshita Umesh, who was speaking near the spot where the fire started. She said she fell while trying to escape.
Medical staff at the scene said most cases involved smoke inhalation. Emergency doctor Kimberly Humphrey said one person had a lung injury caused by smoke. She added that many people were traumatised and shaken.
UN security ordered an immediate evacuation. A large hole was burned through the roof of the former aerodrome building. Delegates waited outside in high heat and humidity. Some took shelter under a nearby petrol station roof.
A woman was taken away in a wheelchair but it is not clear if this was linked to the fire.
Brazilian security officers locked the venue gates while firefighters checked the site. Ambulances were still arriving more than 90 minutes after the fire began.
The incident halted negotiations at a crucial point. Nearly 200 countries are trying to agree on how to make progress on climate action.
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The UN says it is seeking more information about the cause of the fire and the impact on the summit schedule.
