The UN climate talks COP30 have been evacuated due to a fire breaking out inside the venue in Belém, Brazil.
BBC journalists saw flames and smoke in the pavilion area before they were rushed outside, where fire engines raced past.
The UN said the fire was extinguished after six minutes and 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation. It is not yet known what caused the blaze.
The talks were in the final hours of trying to agree on next steps to tackle climate change, but the fire has disrupted negotiations and the talks remain closed.
Dr. Harshita Umesh, who was giving a presentation next door, described a chaotic scene: It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling. People were screaming, she recounted. She noted that ambulance staff had to aid responders who inhaled toxic fumes.
Emergency medicine specialist Kimberly Humphrey confirmed that many injuries were related to smoke inhalation, emphasizing that some individuals were traumatized by the incident.
Reports indicate that flames damaged the pavilion covering, overwhelming the venue in smoke. Eyewitnesses speculated that an electrical issue could have caused the fire.
As the situation unfolded, hundreds of attendees were left waiting outside in high heat and humidity, as the UN informed that the Brazilian authorities have taken over safety checks at the site.
Negotiations are expected to face delays following this significant disruption, with nearly 200 countries currently involved in trying to agree on climate action strategies.
