A massive global gathering of scouts in South Korea has been forced to vacate the campsite a week early because of an approaching typhoon, days after extreme heat sickened hundreds of teens and sparked complaints over how the event was being run.
The World Scout Jamboree, held in Saemangeum on the country’s west coast, saw nearly 40,000 teenagers turn up, according to organizers. The event was supposed to feature outdoor activities, cultural performances, sustainability workshops and other offerings for the participants, mostly middle and high schoolers.
But extreme weather has put a dampener on festivities and scouts are now leaving the main venue almost a week ahead of schedule.
“The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) received confirmation this morning from the Government of the Republic of Korea that due to the expected impact of Typhoon Khanun, an early departure will be planned for all participants at the 25th World Scout Jamboree,” WOSM said in a statement.
The typhoon is forecast to hit South Korea on Thursday, with up to 6 inches (150 millimetres) of rainfall expected, according to CNN meteorologists.
About 36,000 scout participants from 156 countries will be transferred to the greater Seoul area starting Tuesday morning, said Kim Sung-Ho, vice minister for Disaster and Safety Management.
The typhoon only the latest in a series of issues that have dogged the event since its launch on August 1. Within the first week, hundreds of teenagers fell ill at the event due to a sweltering heat wave, with others going to the on-site hospital for issues such as skin rashes, sunburn and bug bites.
R&I~Smit
Orange of Specious
Article URL : https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/07/asia/world-scout-jamboree-south-korea-ends-typhoon-heat-intl-hnk/index.html