A group of scientists stationed at a remote Antarctica research base have sent an urgent plea for help via email, reporting physical assault, sexual assault, and death threats from a colleague.
The team is currently based at the Sanae IV research station, located about 100 miles south of Antarctica’s ice shelf and over 2,600 miles from Cape Town. With winter storms and ice closing in, they are set to remain there for another 10 months, until December.
South African newspaper, The Sunday Times, was first to report the news. The email, in which the scientists had pleaded for ‘urgent action’, describes a deteriorating situation where a fellow researcher allegedly attacked a colleague and issued threats of further violence.
According to the email, the 10-member team fears for their safety as the individual in question is seen as a danger to the entire group. One team member also accused him of sexual assault.
South Africa’s government confirmed an assault took place at the station, following earlier complaints of inappropriate behaviour.
South Africa’s environment minister, Dion George, whose department manages the country’s Antarctic programme, acknowledged the incident and stated he was “considering options”.
THE EMAIL
The email quoted by the Sunday Times, which removed all names, described the violence: “Regrettably, [his] behavior has reached a deeply disturbing level. Specifically, he physically assaulted [name withheld], a grave violation of personal safety and workplace norms.”
“Furthermore, he threatened to kill [name withheld], creating an environment of fear and intimidation. I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim.”
The email further read: “It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees.”
“I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence. There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person. Then it escalated and then that person did physically assault the leader. You can imagine what it’s like. It is close quarters and people do get cabin fever. It can be very disorientating,” the email read.
It said “numerous concerns” had been raised about the alleged attacker since the team arrived in late December aboard South Africa’s SA Agulhas II ship, which departed Antarctica a month later.
WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT SAY?
The South African Environment Ministry stated that when the ship left on February 1, “all was in order.” The incident was first reported to the ministry on February 27.
The department said a government minister is personally overseeing the situation, and the alleged perpetrator has “willingly participated in further psychological evaluation, shown remorse, and agreed to follow any recommended interventions.”
The ministry also confirmed that the accused has issued a formal apology to the victim.
According to reports, Minister George indicated that the conflict stemmed ‘over a task the team leader wanted the team to do – a weather-dependent task that required a schedule change’.
Rescue operations in Antarctica are notoriously difficult due to the extreme environment. According to reports, South Africa has access to an ice-capable ship and aircraft, but any evacuation would have to contend with sub-zero temperatures and powerful winds. The nearest research facilities-Germany’s Neumayer Station III and Norway’s Troll Base – are more than 100 miles away.
Though rare, violent incidents have occurred at Antarctic research stations before. In 2018, a stabbing was reported at Russia’s Bellingshausen station, and in 2017, a researcher on Marion Island attacked a colleague’s laptop with an axe after a rejected marriage proposal.
South Africa has been conducting research in Antarctica since 1959, typically deploying a small team consisting of a doctor, mechanics, engineers, a meteorological technician, and physicists.
About The Author
