A fire at the COP30 summit venue in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday forced the evacuation of thousands of delegates, disrupting negotiations already racing against a 24-hour deadline to reach a global climate deal. The incident occurred just as talks intensified on fossil fuel transition and climate finance.

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• Fire broke out in an exhibition pavilion, forcing full venue evacuation.
• Thirteen people treated for smoke inhalation; fire controlled within six minutes.
•  Talks paused until Friday; presidency may hold limited consultations overnight.
•  Summit already missed Wednesday deadline for consensus on finance and fossil fuels.
• Brazil’s draft text circulated but lacks roadmap to phase out fossil fuels.
•  Draft proposes tripling climate adaptation finance by 2030 but unclear funding source.
•  Sharp split persists between fossil fuel producers, rich nations, and vulnerable states.
• Developing nations distrust climate finance promises after unmet $300B pledge.
• Poor nations demand concrete adaptation support; Europe reluctant to set new targets.
•  UN chief Guterres urges compromise, warning the world needs a stronger deal.