Team TTO safe as typhoon drives scouts from South Korea campsite

AFTER enduring a massive heatwave and now with the threat of an approaching typhoon, participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea had to relocate from their main campsite.

The 30-member TT team there has since said its members are safe.

The jamboree began on August 1 and is set to end on August 12.

On Saturday, the BBC reported that hundreds had fallen ill at the event, attended by more than 40,000 young people from around the world, amid 35-degree-Celsius heat.

The UK delegation moved into hotels, while the US and Singaporean delegations were pulling their members out of the event.

In a press release on Monday, the World Organization for the Scout Movement (WOSM) said the Korean government had confirmed that owing to the expected impact of the typhoon – Typhoon Khaunun – the scouts would leave early.

"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."

The organisation thanked volunteers and all members for "remaining agile and adaptable throughout each challenge.

"As scouts, we expect a calm and orderly early departure, with new adventures awaiting us in Seoul."

The TT Association also took to Facebook, saying: "Mother Nature has prescribed for us a change of venue to continue our Jamboree in a different location.

"We are safe and secure with the management and assistance of the Government of South Korea and the WOSM and the 25th World Scout Jamboree 2023 management team."