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.
Witnesses reported chaotic scenes, with one participant describing how the flames climbed the walls. It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling. People were screaming, Dr. Harshita Umesh recounted. She mentioned tripping and falling amidst the crowd trying to escape.
Kimberly Humphrey, a medical specialist at the COP medical center, noted that many injuries were related to smoke inhalation and expressed concern for those who were traumatized by the incident.
Journalist Justin Rowlatt described huge columns of smoke billowing into the air from the venue and noted that people were in a panic, being advised by UN security to evacuate.
The fire appears to have originated in one of the summit's country pavilions, and initial speculations suggest it may have been caused by an electrical fault.
Delegates from various countries were forced to seek shelter, and hundreds remained outside waiting under high temperatures as the venue was locked down for safety inspections.
The incident could significantly delay the completion of negotiations aimed at combating climate change, as nearly 200 countries work together to find common ground on critical environmental issues.
