Moments of tension, the immediate evacuation of delegates, fire, and many unanswered questions are what the fire that broke out this Thursday in November at the UN COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, has left in its wake. While agreements on climate adaptation, fossil fuel reduction, and strategies to curb deforestation were being signed, an intense fire erupted in part of the central pavilion in the so-called Blue Zone, which houses the negotiation rooms and pavilions of countries and international organizations. WATCH ¿Sabotaje? Cumbre climática COP 30 en Brasil, es desalojada por fuerte incendio
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but it is known that the flames reached a considerable height and that it started within the restricted access area. Smoke spread inside and outside the building, causing initial panic.
According to an AFP journalist, the fire tore a hole in the roof and spread to other structures. After the emergency was brought under control, with the affected area isolated and emergency protocols activated, the Brazilian COP Organizing Committee reported that no one was injured. The fire was extinguished by security personnel and AUN staff using fire extinguishers and with the assistance of the fire department.
The unusual incident has raised questions and prompted speculation and accusations of sabotage. This is because the fire broke out while ministers from around the world were engaged in negotiations on topics such as the energy transition and climate finance. Even Brazil's chief negotiator, Mauricio Lirio, stated that he was signing an agreement with a country when the evacuation began, while Brazil's tourism minister, Celso Sabino, told television, "Perhaps a short circuit or a phone charging. In a few minutes we'll know what happened."
But it wasn't just the timing of the fire that drew attention. The venue itself, a poor Amazonian city like Belém, has presented several logistical challenges for the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Almost the entire COP structure is set up under large tents due to the area's limited resources. Adding to this are the UN's complaints about indigenous protests that strained security measures, as well as the high cost of accommodation for COP participants.
END of transcript Google translated
KE Blogger
No comments:
Post a Comment