The great world scouts party, organized in South Korea, is turning into a nightmare: strong heat and a failing reception pushed the 4,000 Britons then, on Saturday, the 1,500 Americans to leave the gathering.
And the great World Jamboree, which brings together more than 40,000 people from all over the world, could well be interrupted before the scheduled date of August 12, due to the scorching summer, one of the hottest that the country has known in recent years. .
According to local authorities and organizers, around 600 participants have already suffered from heatstroke or other ailments related to the scorching temperatures.
In an attempt to ‘save’ the Boy Scouts’ Day, the South Korean government rushed military doctors and nurses to the scene at Saemangeum, near Buan, in Jeolla Province, northern South Korea. .
The Korean peninsula is currently experiencing a humid heat wave, with daily temperatures ranging from 35 to 38 degrees, which has triggered the maximum heat wave alert.
Local media have described the situation in recent days as a “national disgrace”, given the time the country has had to prepare for this gigantic summer gathering, organized every four years.
A Korean American mother testified that her 15-year-old daughter lost consciousness during the rally. An ambulance had been called but did not arrive until 45 minutes later.
“We were told that she had lost consciousness”, that her eyes had rolled over “and that we could see the whites of her eyes”, she added to the South Korean television channel SBS.
“These 45 minutes were terrifying for us. We can’t even imagine what could have happened during that time. How can South Korea allow children to be left like this?” insurgent.
On social networks, Internet users have compared the situation in recent days to the game of life or death of the famous South Korean television series “Squid Game”.
In addition to the problems posed by the heat, local media reported poor conditions for the campsite, with sanitary facilities “less than ideal”, with showers and rudimentary toilets. Not to mention the many insect bites.
And, to make matters worse, the regional authorities indicated on Saturday that 70 participants in the great mass of the scouts had contracted the Covid.
The American scouts are withdrawing from the camp and will travel to the American Humphreys military camp in the city of Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on Saturday, according to American officials.
The day before, the British, who constitute the strongest delegation with 4,000 people, had done the same. They will fall back on the capital.
Singapore Scouts also decided to leave the site earlier than planned.
And the Belgians are looking for another reception site, according to the Yonhap news agency.
The World Organization of the Scout Movement has also asked Seoul to shorten the event, which was scheduled until August 12.
But the South Korean government intends to respect the schedule, ensuring that it does its best to improve the reception of scouts despite the high temperatures.
Representatives from participating countries are meeting on Saturday to determine the way forward.
Faced with the urgency of the situation, which could tarnish the country’s image abroad, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the dispatch of an unlimited number of air-conditioned buses, where scouts will be able to temporarily rest, as well as refrigerated trucks loaded with ice water.
Emergency aid of 6.9 billion won (5.3 million dollars) was also adopted to deal with this situation.
But for British and American scouts, it is too late.
2023-08-05 11:44:55 – BUAN (South Korea) (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
