UK scouts moved into resorts amid sweltering temperatures at World Scout Jamboree
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our thousand British scouts will go away the World Scout Jamboree and transfer into resorts after hovering temperatures in South Korea left a whole lot of kids in poor health with warmth exhaustion.
At least 600 individuals on the World Scout Jamboree have been handled for heat-related diseases since Tuesday’s begin of the convention in southwestern Buan.
The UK Scouts Association stated on Friday its delegation of greater than 4,000 scouts and volunteers would depart the convention and transfer into resorts in Seoul as South Korean ministers drafted in medics to the occasion. The British delegation was the most important in attendance.
In an announcement it stated: “We will start moving our people to hotel accommodation over the next two days.
“As we are the largest contingent, our hope is that this helps alleviate the pressure on the site overall.
“We know that may be a disappointment for some and we will continue the Jamboree experience in Seoul, working with Korean authorities on a programme of activities so our young people still get the most from their time in Korea.”
South Korean ministers earlier ordered water vans, and the supply of air-conditioned areas on the occasion amid temperatures of 38C in some elements of the nation.
“The authorities will use its all sources to make sure that the jamboree can finish safely amid the heatwave,” Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told a cabinet meeting approving a £3.6m package to support the jamboree.
Bear Grylls sweats as he addresses crowds at World Scout Jamboree
Among those in attendance is adventurer Bear Grylls who called for people to remain calm.
He posted a clip of his speech at the opening ceremony on Instagram with the caption: “It’s super hot in Korea. To all @Scouts there, remember the mantra: Shade & hydrate act early if struggling buddy buddy always.”
Around 39,000 participants, most of them scouts aged between 14 and 18, are at the event.
Several scouts were seen being stretchered off into a treatment room as temperatures climbed to 34C in Saemangeum, the area of reclaimed land in Buan where the scouts are camping.
Emergency services said most of those who fell ill due to the heat had mild symptoms.
Some activists and parents have questioned the viability of the jamboree, the first global gathering of the scouts since the pandemic.
Organisers said they were modifying the schedule depending on the temperature, adding that the scouts remained resilient.
“Despite the heat and the difficulties and the challenges that they are facing, only 8% reported that they were very unsatisfied with the experience so far,” Jacob Murray, the director for World Events on the Scouts, advised reporters.
“We are grateful to the Korean authorities and provincial authorities for offering further sources.”
The jamboree comes a few weeks after the President Yook Suk Yeol’s government was criticised for its handling of floods which killed over 40 people.
Some residents of Buan said the government should have been better prepared for the heat.
Earlier on Friday, Yoon called for an “unlimited” air-conditioned buses and water vans to be despatched to the jamboree.
A day earlier, he ordered dozens of navy medical doctors and nurses to go to the campsite to offer emergency care.
The occasion is because of run till August 12.