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Fire breaks out during COP30 climate negotiations, Grace Fu says S'pore team safe

Evacuated.

 Gawain Pek
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November 21, 2025, 10:13 AM

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The Singapore team are safe after a fire broke out at the COP30 venue in Belém, Brazil, on Nov. 20, Minister for Environment and Sustainability Grace Fu shared on her social media.

In her video shot from outside the conference venue, Fu said that everyone in the Singapore team evacuated following the fire and were safe, including members of the media and contractors.

"Everyone's quite calm, except there is [some] congestion because we are all waiting for our transport to get home. So, we are alright, thank you for your concern," the minister continued.

Fire broke out during negotiations

The Guardian reported that the fire broke out just as negotiators were preparing to close a deal to strengthen international efforts on climate change.

It triggered an evacuation but was brought under control within six minutes, BBC wrote.

13 people were treated for smoke inhalation.

According to Al Jazeera, the affected area is known as the "Blue Zone", which is the primary venue for official negotiations, the Leaders' Summit and national pavilions.

Videos on social media showed the fire starting behind a booth before crawling upwards towards the ceiling, which appeared to be made out of sheeting.

Bystanders were seen attempting to put out the fire with fire extinguishers.

Attendees were seen being ushered away by security personnel and conference officials.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, although an eyewitness told BBC that he believed it was an electrical fire.

The United Nations climate body said that the fire department would conduct safety checks and that the local authorities have taken over the summit for the time being.

Top image via X, Grace Fu / Facebook

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