Hong Kong scouts at world jamboree in South Korea disappointed event cut short by typhoon, as spirits high despite heat and poor conditions
- Some teenagers from city’s 460-strong delegation at World Scout Jamboree express regret at having to leave, despite clogged toilets and steaming hot tents
- Group has moved to hotel in Seoul after Scout Association of Hong Kong announced departure from event, with delegates to return home on Wednesday
Some of the Hong Kong scouts attending a world jamboree in South Korea have expressed disappointment that the event was cut short by a looming typhoon, as their spirits remained high despite the extremely hot weather and poor hygiene conditions.
The teenagers, who were among the 460 delegates from the city at the World Scout Jamboree, said toilets at the site were clogged, floors muddy and temperatures inside tents comparable with those of a sauna.
“Almost all of the scouts in my unit do not want to leave. We already got through the toughest days … How can we not push through the rest of the camp? Us Hongkongers are born to be challenged and stay determined,” said Anson Ng, 15.
The group has moved to a learning centre in Seoul and will return home on Wednesday, after the Scout Association of Hong Kong announced on Monday that the delegates would leave the campsite in Saemangeum on or before August 9 because of the approaching Typhoon Khanun.
The announcement came just before the organisers of the 12-day event said all participants would have to leave because of the extreme weather. The jamboree was originally expected to run until Saturday.
Contingents from Britain, the United States and Singapore were reported to have left the site early over the weekend because of the high temperatures.