Watch: Fire breaks out at COP30 summit in Brazil, 13 people injured

Parts of the venue for the COP30 summit in Brazil's Belem were being evacuated on Thursday following reports of a fire.

At least 13 people were injured in a fire which broke out at the main venue of the ongoing UN COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil's Belem, forcing thousands of people to run for safety.

"Thirteen individuals were treated on site for smoke inhalation. Their condition is being monitored, and appropriate medical support has been provided," the UN COP30 Organising Committee said in a statement.

Attendees were seen escaping the fire. Brazil's tourism minister assured the fire in the venue is under control and nobody is hurt, Reuters reported.

Tourism Minister Celso Sabino also said that 'the structure of COP30 in Belém is made of fire-resistant material.'

Security staff told Reuters the alert originated in the area of the venue where nations and organizations have their public-facing pavillions.

Police lined up as a barrier to prevent anyone from nearing the area, while a siren pealed in the background. Delegates, observers and journalists grabbed their bags and belongings and ran for the exits.

Footage showed smoke and flames inside the venue, a conference center on the site of a former airport.

In its third bulletin on the fire incident, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) appreciated the delegates for the swift evacuation from the venue.

"The fire has been contained with limited damage. Delegates are advised that the venue will not reopen before 8 pm. Further communication will follow shortly," it added.

Reuters reported that formal climate negotiations at the COP30 summit in Brazil will resume on Friday morning

Negotiators from more than 190 countries have gathered for the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. 

The summit is taking place at Belem in the Amazon region from November 10 to 21.

Union Minister for environment Bhupinder Yadav is in the city to attend the COP30 and he also addressed the session today.

Firefighters arrived to douse the fire and address the alert as visuals surface on online platforms.

(With agency inputs)