COP30 evacuated after fire breaks out


The United Nations climate talks COP30 have been evacuated due to a fire inside the venue in Belem, Brazil.

BBC journalists saw flames and smoke in the pavilion area, before they were evacuated.

The Brazilian government says the fire is now under control and no one was injured.

The orange flames tore a hole in the sheet covering the venue. A video shows a man spraying a fire extinguisher before fleeing.

The fire has left a hole in the sheet covering the venue, which is a former airport.

It is not yet known what caused the fire. An eyewitness told the BBC that he believed the cause was an electrical fire.

A woman was taken away in a wheelchair, but it was unclear whether this was related to the fire.

Thousands of people, including members of delegations from around the world, are attending the UN climate talks.

Nearly 200 countries are trying to agree how to make progress in tackling climate change.

A member of the UK delegation said they were returning to their residence and that the fire had disrupted talks.

The BBC has asked the United Nations, which is running the summit, for more information on the cause of the fire and any impacts.



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