Evacuation ordered for more than 460 Hong Kong scout delegates to world jamboree in South Korea as Typhoon Khanun nears
- South Korean authorities and world organisation earlier insisted event would proceed despite harsh weather and conditions
- City scout body makes decision just before similar statement by World Organization of the Scout Movement
The Scout Association of Hong Kong will withdraw more than 460 delegates attending a world jamboree in South Korea because of an approaching typhoon, announcing the move just before event organisers said all participants would have to leave because of the extreme weather.
“As Typhoon Khanun is gradually moving towards South Korea, the Scout Association of Hong Kong has activated the emergency response plan and decided to leave the camp on or before August 9,” the association said on Facebook on Monday.
It added that the World Scout Jamboree delegates would be transferred to a safe place as soon as possible.
Its statement came just before the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), host of the jamboree, announced on its website that all participants would be leaving because of the looming typhoon.
“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,” WOSM said.
A spokesman for the Scout Association of Hong Kong said that it did not know when its contingent would be able to return home.
“They are still at the campsite and awaiting instructions from the jamboree organisers, we have to wait for further information,” he said.
