Dozens of Macao scouts are being evacuated from South Korea’s North Jeolla province as Typhoon Khanun looms. The scouts and their leaders were attending the 2023 World Scout Jamboree along with tens of thousands of others – mainly teenagers, AP reports.
Macau Scout Association Director Laurence Chau Shing-chun told the press on Monday that his association would ensure all local participants made it home safely. The 53 Macao participants (including scout leaders) aim to reach Seoul today and may remain there for the rest of the week.
Typhoon Khanun is expected to hit South Korea as early as Wednesday, having already wreaked havoc in Japan.
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Jamboree attendees were experiencing problems even before the typhoon headed for South Korea. Local media reported many scouts falling ill from heat stroke, bug bites, sanitation issues and Covid-19. Large delegations from the US, UK, and Singapore chose to abandon the camp over the weekend, citing risks posed by the heat wave.
The 2023 World Scout Jamboree kicked off on 1 August and was scheduled to run over 12 days. About 40,000 people from 158 different countries and territories were in attendance at the start of the quadrennial event, this year hosted by South Korea’s government at Saemangeum – a reclaimed tidal flat on the country’s west coast.
According to local media, the scouts are being encouraged to continue their stay in South Korea after being evacuated from Saemangeum. The country’s government is considering hosting those that do in university dormitories, corporate training facilities or gymnasiums in downtown Seoul.
It will hold a closing ceremony for the jamboree on Friday, in Seoul, featuring a K-pop band.
