Current:Home > BackTens of thousands of young scouts to leave South Korean world jamboree as storm Khanun looms-InfoLens
Tens of thousands of young scouts to leave South Korean world jamboree as storm Khanun looms
View Date:2025-01-12 14:50:29
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea is preparing to evacuate tens of thousands of scouts from a coastal jamboree site as Tropical Storm Khanun looms, scouting officials said Monday.
The World Organization of the Scout Movement said it received confirmation from South Korea’s government of the early departure for all participants in the southwestern county of Buan. That means quickly moving tens of thousands of scouts — mostly teenagers — from 158 countries out of the storm’s path.
South Korea’s weather agency reported that Khanun was about 330 kilometers (205 miles) northeast of the Japanese island of Okinawa as of 9 a.m. Monday. It was expected to make landfall in South Korea on Thursday morning, packing high winds. Large swaths of the country’s south, including Buan, could be affected by the storm as early as Wednesday, the agency said.
President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office said he called for “contingency” plans, which could include relocating them to hotels and other facilities in the country’s capital, Seoul, and nearby metropolitan areas.
Hot temperatures have already forced thousands of British and American scouts to leave the site, which is made on land reclaimed from sea. Hundreds of participants had been treated for heat-related ailments since the jamboree started on Wednesday. Long before the event’s start, critics raised concerns about bringing such large numbers of young people to a vast, treeless area lacking protection from the summer heat.
Organizers earlier on Monday were scurrying to come up with plans to evacuate the scouts ahead of the storm’s arrival. Choi Chang-haeng, secretary-general of the jamboree’s organizing committee, said organizers have secured more than 340 evacuation venues, including community centers and gyms, in regions near Buan.
About 40,000 scouts — mostly teenagers — from 158 countries came to the jamboree, built on land reclaimed from the sea. About 4,500 were from the U.K., representing the largest national contingent, while about 1,000 were from the United States.
veryGood! (7494)
Related
- New Yorkers vent their feelings over the election and the Knicks via subway tunnel sticky notes
- Air quality in several US states threatened by growing Canada wildfires: See map
- Three is a crowd: WA governor race will no longer have 3 identical names on the ballot
- North Carolina bill forcing sheriffs to aid immigration agents still under review in House
- UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
- Preakness favorite Muth ruled out of the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown after spiking a fever
- Rory McIlroy not talking about divorce on eve of PGA Championship
- Soothe Sore Muscles With These Post-Workout Recovery Tools
- Tesla issues 6th Cybertruck recall this year, with over 2,400 vehicles affected
- The 15 new movies you'll want to stream this summer, from 'Atlas' to 'Beverly Hills Cop 4'
Ranking
- New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
- Family of California Navy veteran who died after officer knelt on his neck settles lawsuit for $7.5M
- How many calories are in an egg? A quick guide to the nutrition facts for your breakfast
- 'Young Sheldon' finale: Date, time, cast, where to watch and stream last Season 7 episode
- Horoscopes Today, November 10, 2024
- Arizona woman sentenced to probation for poisoning husband’s coffee with bleach for months
- Sun emits its largest X-class flare of the solar cycle as officials warn bursts from massive sunspot not done yet
- Jennifer Hudson reflects on two decades of success, new season of talk show
Recommendation
-
U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South Texas
-
Jason Kelce Shares Conversation With Taylor Swift’s Pal Miles Teller
-
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, abortion and diabolic lies told to women in commencement speech
-
Who is playing in NFL Sunday Night Football? Here's the complete 2024 SNF schedule
-
Patricia Heaton criticizes media, 'extremists' she says 'fear-mongered' in 2024 election
-
Anya Taylor-Joy Reveals the Surprising Item She Brings With Her Everywhere
-
Best Luxury Candles That Will Make Your Home Smell Really, Really Good
-
2024 NFL regular season: Complete week-by-week schedule for 18-week, 17-game slate