(LEAD) 108 taken to hospital during World Jamboree opening ceremony amid heat wave

▲ This photo, provided by the Jeonbuk Fire Service, shows an ambulance taking people to the hospital after 108 participants at the 25th World Scout Jamboree needed medical attention, with most showing symptoms of heat-related illness, after the opening ceremony on Aug. 2, 2023. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) jamboree patients-police

(LEAD) 108 taken to hospital during World Jamboree opening ceremony amid heat wave

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with more details)

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.

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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