São Paulo, Brazil — A sudden blaze erupted at the venue hosting the COP30 climate summit, forcing the immediate evacuation of delegates from around the world. The conference, which had drawn participants from nearly 200 nations, was temporarily halted as emergency crews tackled the flames.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and began containing the fire, which originated in a storage area adjacent to the main conference hall. While the blaze was quickly brought under control, smoke and heat forced the evacuation of thousands of attendees, including government officials, scientists, and NGO representatives.
Organizers announced that the summit’s schedule will be adjusted to accommodate the disruption. Sessions slated for the afternoon have been postponed, and a new timetable will be released later today. Despite the incident, officials emphasized that the summit’s core objectives—discussing actionable climate solutions and strengthening international cooperation—remain unchanged.
The venue’s emergency protocols were activated promptly, and all attendees were guided to designated safety zones. No serious injuries have been reported, and medical teams are on standby for anyone requiring assistance.
World leaders and climate activists have expressed solidarity with the host city, praising the swift response of local authorities. As the conference resumes, the focus will shift back to critical negotiations on carbon reduction, climate finance, and adaptation strategies for vulnerable nations.