4,000 UK Scouts pulled out of camp after heatwave
THOUSANDS of UK teenagers at the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea are being moved to hotels after a surge in heat-related illnesses.
More than 600 youngsters attending the event have suffered fainting and dizziness as temperatures top 38C (100F) across the country, with the government issuing the highest heat warning in four years.
The jamboree, in North Jeolla province, has also faced criticism for a lack of shelter and water – with the situation being described as a ‘national disgrace’, given the time the country had to prepare for the scouting get-together.
About 43,000 people from 158 countries – including a 4,500- strong UK contingent including Scouts and leaders – have flown out for the 12-day festival. Adventurer Bear Grylls, who is Britain’s Chief Scout, posted a clip of his speech at the opening ceremony on Instagram, captioned: ‘It’s super hot in Korea. To all Scouts there, remember the mantra: Shade and hydrate, act early if struggling, buddy-buddy always.’
But after a heat emergency alert was sent out on the jamboree’s app, families went into panic mode. One UK parent told The Telegraph: ‘We now have kids crying, thinking they are going to die.’
Parents said their children, who are aged 14 to 17, were stuck outside in the early hours of the morning in a ‘mosquitoinfested field’ with no tents, dirty toilets and limited food.
Yesterday, the Scouts UK association said its young people and adult volunteers would be moved to hotel accommodation in the capital Seoul over the next two days to help ‘alleviate the pressure’ on the site.
It added: ‘We will continue the jamboree experience in Seoul, working with Korean authorities on a programme of activities so young people still get the most from their time in Korea.’
The association said the UK volunteer team had worked ‘extremely hard’ with organisers to ensure that the group had enough food and water and shelter from the hot weather.
Local authorities and organisers said about 600 people had suffered heat-related illnesses, prompting Seoul officials to order military doctors and nurses to head for the camp.
One concerned British mother said the event had been shambolic, adding: ‘Flooding, ambulances everywhere, rubbish, poor sanitation, not enough food, the list is endless.’ She added that her son had described the heat as ‘stifling’ and people could not cope with the lack of shade.
But parent Rob Drummer told the Mail: ‘I have had nothing but positive messages from a young man who is having the time of his life, meeting new people and exploring different cultures.’ Another said their 14year- old son was being ‘very well cared for’ by his leaders.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘We are monitoring the situation closely. Consular officials have been deployed on site to support attendees and we are in regular contact with Scouts UK and the Korean authorities to ensure the safety of British nationals.’