A general view shows tents at the World Scout Jamboree as scouts prepare to leave the event in Buan, North Jeolla province on Aug 8, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

HONG KONG – Over 460 members of the Scout Association of Hong Kong who left a jamboree in South Korea early due to an approaching typhoon were expected to start arriving safely back home on Wednesday, according to the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau.

The bureau said in a statement that the scout delegates who participated in the World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, Korea were arriving back in Hong Kong “in groups” on Wednesday.

The SAHK decided earlier to make arrangements for the delegates to be relocated to a safe location and return to Hong Kong as early as possible due to Typhoon Khanun

The SAHK decided earlier to make arrangements for the delegates to be relocated to a safe location and return to Hong Kong as early as possible due to Typhoon Khanun.

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“In response to the decision of the SAHK to return to Hong Kong early, the HYAB immediately contacted the SAHK, the Immigration Department and the relevant airline to allow members of the SAHK to return to Hong Kong smoothly,” the statement reads.

The bureau said that it was grateful for the assistance offered by different departments and organizations, including the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Gwangju, to arrange transportation for the scouts on their way to the airport.

As Typhoon Khanun is approaching Korea and local weather was expected to deteriorate rapidly, the bureau said it has been keeping close contact with the SAHK, which has implemented measures to ensure the safety of members who will stay behind to participate in the remaining events organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. 

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The bureau earlier said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is "deeply concerned" about the health and safety of the scouts participating in the jamboree.