Australians withdraw, South Korea confirms 'early departure' for World Scout Jamboree ahead of Typhoon Khanun
By Tim Fernandez and Fiona PurcellAll remaining national contingents attending the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea are being evacuated to Seoul due to a typhoon forecast to hit the country.
Key points:
- The South Korean government has confirmed "an early departure will be planned" due to the expected impact of the typhoon
- The World Organization of the Scout Movement is "urgently" calling on the South Korean government to "expedite the plan for departure"
- Amid days of heatwave conditions, hundreds of scouts at the camp have been treated for heat-related illnesses with the South Korean government stepping in to supply medical supplies and other resources
Almost 43,000 young people have been participating in the event in Saemangeum in the country's south, amid a sweltering heatwave, but Typhoon Khanun means all scouts must be relocated to the capital.
"The whole jamboree is being evacuated to Seoul, not just the Australians," said Lloyd Nurthern, Australia's deputy contingent leader.
"The issue is the incoming typhoon, which is due to make it just to the east of the [camp] site probably on Thursday morning, if not, Wednesday evening.
"It is something outside of our control, fundamentally."
The Australian scouts are expected to leave the camp on Wednesday and move into hotel accommodation in Seoul.
The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) says the South Korean Government has confirmed "an early departure will be planned" due to the expected impact of Typhoon Khanun.
"The government informed WOSM that they will soon provide details of the departure plans and the venues that will host the participants," WOSM said in a statement.
"We urgently call on the government to expedite the plan for departure and provide all necessary resources and support for participants during their stay and until they return to their home countries."
The World Scout Jamboree, held every four years, has been plagued with challenges exacerbated by severe weather conditions with reports of inadequate sanitation and shade infrastructure.
Hundreds of teenagers have been treated for sunburn and heat-related illnesses at the international event, which started on August 1.
The South Korean government has deployed resources to help participants, but on Friday scout leaders from Britain and the US announced their Scouts were moving from the campsite.
The Australian and New Zealand contingents confirmed overnight they would be relocating to Seoul after South Korea's weather bureau confirmed Typhoon Khanun was on track to hit Saemangeum.
Mr Nurthern said in the days before the scouts arrived at the campsite, Australian leaders witnessed a rain event that caused "significant flooding and tent collapses".
"Given the firsthand experience, and the impending weather threat, it becomes paramount for us to prioritise the safety of our contingent above all else," he said.
"Part of being prepared is about recognising when it's time to adjust our plans for everyone's wellbeing."
Australians still unfazed by heat
The 10-day event attracted young people and volunteers from 158 countries, including more than 900 Scouts from Australia.
Mr Nurthern says the Australian scouts were "prepared" and "coping with the heat very well", which has been reaching 36 degrees Celsius with 95 per cent humidity.
"We have this heat in Australia," he said.
"Us Aussies have our Akubras on and our sun-safe koala [hats] so we're able to protect ourselves.
Mr Nurthern said there were "mixed emotions" about leaving the jamboree halfway through the event.
The new location means the type of activities the scouts can participate in will need to change.
"At the end of the day, they'll still have a great time," he said.
"We'll continue the jamboree experience as much as we can."
In a letter to the scouts' families, Scouts Australia said it planned to continue activities in the South Korean capital through an alternate program.
K-pop concert postponed
Meanwhile, a K-Pop concert scheduled for the last night of the jamboree has been postponed due to the heat.
South Korea's Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism said after days of "scorching heat", proceeding with the concert "could have adverse health effects, including the risk of heat-related illness".
The South Korean government has committed to sending additional water trucks, air-conditioned spaces, medics and sanitation workers to the campsite.
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