More than 4,000 UK Scouts to be moved into hotels as heatwave hits World Jamboree in South Korea
More than 4,000 UK Scouts are to be moved from a camp into hotels because of a heatwave at the organisation’s World Jamboree in South Korea.
Temperatures in some parts of the country have topped 38C (100.4F) this week, with at least 600 people at the event having been treated for heat-related ailments, according to officials.
Around 40,000 participants, most of them scouts aged between 14 and 18, are taking part in the event in southwestern Buan.
The UK Scouts will be moved from the Jamboree site to hotels in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, according to a spokesperson.
“We will start moving our people to hotel accommodation over the next two days,” the spokesperson said.
“As we (the UK) are the largest contingent, our hope is that this helps alleviate the pressure on the site overall.”
The spokesperson said the Scouts will work with local authorities to put on a programme of activities “so our young people still get the most from their time in Korea”.
South Korea’s government has approved a 6bn won ($4.6m) to support the jamboree, with water trucks, air-conditioned spaces and medics.
“The government will use all its resources to ensure that the jamboree can end safely amid the heatwave,” Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told a special cabinet meeting.
The heatwave in South Korea is forecast to last until next week.
Organisers of the World Scout Jamboree said they were modifying the schedule depending on the temperature.
“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 at the Scouts, told reporters.
“We are grateful to the Korean government and provincial government for providing additional resources.”
On Thursday, celebrity explorer Bear Grylls, who is the UK’s Chief Scout, shared a video of himself giving a speech to Scouts at the event.
Ending the Instagram post, he wrote: “It’s hot. Look out for each other, please. You’ve got this.”
The World Scout Jamboree is the organisation’s biggest event and takes place every four years, with Scouts from around the world attending.
Almost 40,000 participants from 155 countries are attending this year’s event, which is due to run until 12 August.