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More than 100 hospitalized due to heat at Scout jamboree in South Korea

Seoul, Aug 3 (EFE).- More than 100 people who were participating in an international Scout event in South Korea have been hospitalized for heat stroke, local authorities said, amid record temperatures in the country.

The 25th World Scout Jamboree, known as one of the largest annual events of the youth camping movement, started on Tuesday in the province of North Jeolla, southwest of the country, with some 43,000 people from 158 countries taking part.

A total of 108 participants were hospitalized with symptoms of heat stroke, while some 30 suffered from other ailments related to the high temperatures, according to the organizing committee.

Event officials have announced measures in response, such as increasing the number of medical personnel on the ground.

The secretary general of the organizing committee, Choi Chang-haeng, said that additional air conditioning systems would also be installed in the camping area used for the event, local agency Yonhap reported.

The Ministry of Interior has also announced that the deployment of health services and transportation in the area will be strengthened to try to ensure the safety of participants at the event, which will run until August 12.

South Korean authorities declared a high temperature alert earlier this week, with temperatures expected to reach 38C in several areas of the country.

At least 17 people died last weekend due to the heat wave, most of them elderly people who were doing agricultural work or physical activities outdoors despite the high temperatures. EFE

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