Hundreds of journalists and activists have been waiting in freezing temperatures for hours to register for the World Climate conference at Copenhagen's Bella Center, as an unexpected crush of new arrivals hit the event on Monday, DPA reported.
More than 45,000 participants have registered for the climate conference, although the 77,000 square metre conference centre can hold only 15,000 people.
Because of the huge congestion of participants outside the Bella Center building, the subway station nearest the Bella Center has been temporarily sealed off.
Intensifying the crowding is the fact that many people interested in the climate change conference have traveled to the event despite their applications being rejected.
As many as half the participants attending the climate conference, now in its second week, are observers or environmentalists. As only a part of their number can be admitted, organizers have instituted a quota system.
The number of delegates stands at 11,500, in addition to 3,800 journalists, and security and other personnel.