Researcher at isolated Antarctic base ‘assaulted and threatened to kill’ colleague

A team of South African scientists has pleaded for help after one of its members grew mentally unstable and violent.

A team of South African scientists holed up at a remote Antarctic research station has called for “immediate action” after one team member allegedly physically assaulted and threatened to kill a colleague.

The Sanae IV station is located some 80 kilometers inland and sits at a mountain summit protruding from a glacier and is completely surrounded by glacial fields. The ten-member research team is set to spend at least ten more months at what could be described as a classic horror movie setting. The base is nearly inaccessible in winter due to extreme weather and movement of floating ice.

The affair was first reported over the weekend by South Africa’s Sunday Times, which published an email sent by one of the researchers from the base. The newspaper withheld the names of both the allegedly unruly team member and his accuser, who demanded “immediate action” from the authorities.

The accuser also noted that “numerous concerns” had been raised about the alleged attacker before the departure of the icebreaking polar supply and research ship that dropped the overwintering team off last December and sailed away a month later.

“Regrettably, [his] behaviour has escalated to a point that is deeply disturbing. Specifically, he physically assaulted [name withheld], which is a grave violation of personal safety and workplace norms,” the letter reads.

“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,” it added.

The country’s authorities have acknowledged the issue, with Environment Minister Dion George pledging to personally address it with the team members. George, however, appeared to downplay the severity of the situation.

“There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person. Then it escalated and then that person did physically assault the leader,” he said as quoted by the Sunday Times. “You can imagine what it’s like, it is close quarters and people do get cabin fever. It can be very disorientating.”

In a separate commentary, the minister said he was “considering options” to address the situation without elaborating on what exactly. “An intervention is in place. The person who assaulted the team leader is remorseful and has been psychologically re-evaluated willingly,” he said as quoted by The Guardian, revealing the violent outburst was prompted by an unspecified “weather dependent task that required a schedule change.”