Fire breaks out at UN climate talks in Brazil, leaving thousands stranded.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Belém, Brazil, after a fire erupted inside the venue hosting the COP30 climate talks. The blaze spread rapidly through the pavilion area before flames were brought under control by firefighters within six minutes. Thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation due to the toxic fumes released during the fire.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as people scrambled to evacuate the area, with some falling or tripping in their haste. "It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling," said Dr. Harshita Umesh, a medical doctor who witnessed the incident while giving a talk nearby. "Then I ran, I think I tripped and fell."
The fire has disrupted negotiations between nearly 200 countries on how to tackle climate change. Talks were in their final hours when the blaze broke out, but the session remains closed due to safety concerns. Country delegations have been forced to seek shelter outside under the roof of a nearby petrol station.
Emergency medicine specialist Kimberly Humphrey described the injuries as "mainly people with smoke inhalation, someone with a lung injury from smoke." The situation is still unfolding, and officials are working to assess the damage and ensure public safety.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Belém, Brazil, after a fire erupted inside the venue hosting the COP30 climate talks. The blaze spread rapidly through the pavilion area before flames were brought under control by firefighters within six minutes. Thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation due to the toxic fumes released during the fire.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as people scrambled to evacuate the area, with some falling or tripping in their haste. "It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling," said Dr. Harshita Umesh, a medical doctor who witnessed the incident while giving a talk nearby. "Then I ran, I think I tripped and fell."
The fire has disrupted negotiations between nearly 200 countries on how to tackle climate change. Talks were in their final hours when the blaze broke out, but the session remains closed due to safety concerns. Country delegations have been forced to seek shelter outside under the roof of a nearby petrol station.
Emergency medicine specialist Kimberly Humphrey described the injuries as "mainly people with smoke inhalation, someone with a lung injury from smoke." The situation is still unfolding, and officials are working to assess the damage and ensure public safety.
... but let's not lose hope just yet! I mean, can you believe how quickly those firefighters responded? like 6 minutes is crazy fast 
. And think about it, if the fire had broken out during the actual negotiations, who knows what kind of deal would've gotten done 
... maybe it was a much-needed break for everyone to regroup and recharge 
. Plus, at least no one got hurt too badly (fingers crossed) and we're already seeing officials working together to make sure everything gets sorted out 
. Let's just focus on the positives here!
what a crazy situation at COP30! 
I mean, can you even imagine walking into a fire during climate talks? 
like, focus on saving the planet, not your hair 
. Seriously though, 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation and one with a lung injury... that's just terrifying 
It's like, can't we all just get along (and tackle climate change) already?! 
. Firefighters did save the day tho 
, of all places! thousands of people were stuck inside trying to figure out how to save the planet and now they're stuck in a petrol station outside with no idea if the talks will even happen again 
. what's wrong with these events? can't they just get it together for once?! 
hope everyone who was affected gets well soon 
. thousands of ppl got stuck & now theres all dis drama w/ the fire 
. i feel bad 4 the medics who gotta deal w/ all dese injuries 
. hope everyone gets the help dey need ASAP 
. and now the climate talks r all messed up 
! I mean, can you believe that's happening at the UN climate talks? Like, the place where everyone comes together to try and save the planet from itself, right? 
.
. and now they gotta delay or even cancel the whole thing? it's just so frustrating 