Tens of thousands of scouts are to leave the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea early as the site is set to be battered by a typhoon - in the wake of a debilitating heatwave.
Strong winds and rain are forecast for the huge campsite near the south-western town of Buan, where more than 40,000 scouts from 155 countries around the world had gathered for the 12-day event.
Around 4,500 British scouts aged 14 to 17 are taking part in the jamboree, but have already been moved from the campsite and into hotels in Seoul after a heatwave last week brought temperatures of 35C and left some youngsters needing treatment for heat-related illnesses.
But with forecasters predicting Typhoon Khanun will hit South Korea early on Thursday, organisers confirmed on Monday the jamboree was ending early and all remaining scouts are to be evacuated as the storm approaches.
“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 from the campsite in SaeManGeum,” said the WOSM in a statement.
“The Government informed WOSM that they will soon provide details of the departure plans and the venues that will host the participants.
“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.”
South Korea’s gender equality minister Kim Hyun-sook told a briefing on Monday: “To ensure the safety of the World Jamboree, we are discussing detailed countermeasures for the typhoon situation with relevant agencies including the interior ministry.”
The minister said measures would be announced later.
The Australian contingent is the latest troop to leave the campsite, citing the typhoon risk, Australian broadcaster ABC reported.
The British and US contingents have already left because of the heat, with the British moved into hotels in the capital, Seoul, and the Americans to a US army base.
Singaporean scouts have also moved into accommodation elsewhere but were taking part in on-site activities, the organisers said.
A K-pop concert due to be held at the campsite on Sunday was postponed to Friday and will be held at sports stadium, some 53 km (33 miles) away.
The government and organisers have pledged that safety is top priority, and have laid on water trucks, air-conditioned spaces and medics.
But organisers have come in for criticism from parents and the public for failing to anticipate the heat.
Kim Kwan-young, governor of North Jeolla province hosting the event, apologised on Sunday for not being prepared.
Various authorities and businesses have stepped in to help, donating water and ice cream, while the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has opened up its temples to the scouts.
