A huge fire erupting during COP30 in Brazil sparked scene of panic on Thursday. Delegates were seen running for the exits after the blaze broke out in the pavilion area of a venue where UN climate talks are taking place.

UN and security crews rushed to the area to try and put out the fire, as the building was being evacuated. Firefighters also rushed to the scene to quash the flames, with social media footage showing the fire rising from the venue and smoke engulfing one of the corridors. The efforts may be aided by rain starting to fall after the blaze erupted.

The blaze occurred as ministers from around the world are locked in talks aimed at finding an agreement on fossil fuels, climate finance and trade measures.

Among the politicians there is Swedish MEP Jessica Polfjärd, who in the midst of the emergency took to X to write: “There is a fire at COP30. We are safe and have been evacuated.”

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. In the midst of the incident, power was cut to the building as a matter of precaution.

It erupted in an area part of the Blue Zone, which is inaccessible to the public.

The pavilion is an area used by country delegates to hold private meetings. It also hosts offices away from official negotiating rooms.

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