(3rd LD) 108 taken to hospital during World Jamboree opening ceremony amid heat wave

▲ Patients with signs of heat-related illness are being treated at a hospital within the world jamboree campground in Buan, North Jeolla Province, 204 kilometers south of Seoul on Aug. 3, 2023. (Yonhap)

(3rd LD) jamboree patients-police

(3rd LD) 108 taken to hospital during World Jamboree opening ceremony amid heat wave

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 10-12)

BUAN, South Korea, Aug. 3 (Yonhap) -- A total of 108 people were taken to hospitals during the opening ceremony of the 25th World Scout Jamboree with symptoms of heat-related illness, officials said Thursday, two days after the event kicked off amid scorching heat.

The opening ceremony for the world jamboree, dubbed the "cultural Olympics for youth," was held Wednesday night, with about 43,000 young Scouts from 158 countries gathering at a massive campsite in Saemangeum Reclaimed Area on the southwestern coast.

A total of 108 participants showed symptoms of heat-related illness, while 31 others complained of headaches, stomachache or musculoskeletal damage during the event, according to the organizing committee. Two people were still being treated in the hospital inside the campsite as of 9 a.m. Thursday.

The organizing committee said it will secure additional medical personnel -- 30 doctors and 60 nurses -- and expand the number of hospital beds to 220, up from the 70 currently available.

At one point near the final stages of the event, multiple people collapsed, and fire authorities requested the organizing committee halt the event, but only the finale firework ceremony was omitted.

In a press briefing later in the day, Choi Chang-haeng, the secretary general of the committee, pledged measures to better protect Scouts from the heat wave.

"We will install additional air-conditioning, as both participants and the medical staff could become exhausted from the heat wave," Choi said, adding an emergency medical support system has been newly added to transport any seriously ill patients to five nearby hospitals.

"The K-pop event during the opening ceremony, which led to the exhaustion of energy and stamina among teens, is likely to have led to many patients," Choi said, referring to a K-pop performance given during the ceremony.

Foreign consuls from countries participating in this year's jamboree have reportedly expressed concerns over the participants' condition through diplomatic channels. But Lee Ki Soon, the vice minister of the gender ministry in charge of the world gathering, said no country has withdrawn their participation, dismissing speculation that some Scouts dropped out.

"The Embassy is communicating directly with the ROK government on matters of mutual concern regarding the event," the U.S. Embassy in Seoul said in a statement, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

The embassy coordinated with the Boy Scouts of America and the U.S. Forces Korea "immediately upon learning of concerns regarding the venue and adequacy of services available," it added.

Britain's foreign ministry also said it is closely monitoring the situation at the event while maintaining close communication with the South Korean government, according to its spokesperson.

This year's unusually hot summer weather is expected to persist throughout the 12-day event, with a heat wave advisory issued for 14 North Jeolla Province areas, including Buan.

S. Korea welcomes youths to the 25th World Scout Jamboree[https://youtu.be/3ApG4q-Qv5Y]

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