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According to news agency PTI, the fire broke out around 2 pm in the ‘Blue Zone’, a restricted area that houses the negotiation rooms, country pavilions, media centre, offices of dignitaries and the main plenum hall.
As the smoke spread rapidly, thousands of people ran towards the exits, while authorities temporarily closed the venue for safety inspections.
Smoke inhalation injuries, anxiety
The Brazilian Ministry of Health provided an official update on injuries and the situation, saying “…according to updated data as of 6pm this Thursday (20 November), 21 people have received medical care as a result of the fire affecting the Blue Zones of the incident.”
The ministry said 19 cases were linked to smoke inhalation, while two were related to anxiety-related incidents. However, no injuries have been reported.
“The patients were given immediate assistance and 12 have already been discharged. The remaining persons are receiving appropriate care at health facilities in Belem and the referral unit designated for such cases,” the ministry statement said, according to PTI.
High-profile dignitaries evacuated
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also present in the area and was evacuated by the United Nations Department of Defense and Security (UNDSS).
India’s Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and members of the Indian delegation also evacuated safely, a ministry spokesperson told PTI.
According to a mail sent to participants by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the structure and venue of the event were declared safe after inspection and handed back by Brazilian authorities.
“Brazilian authorities have restored all working conditions at the conference complex, obtained permission to operate after the fire from the fire department and have formally returned the area to the UNFCCC,” PTI quoted the message as saying.
Firefighters reportedly brought the fire under control within about six minutes. The fire, which spread to the decorative textiles on the structure, did not affect the nearby green zone, where activities are scheduled. The UNCOP20 summit is scheduled to end on Friday, November 21.