Trapped Antarctic scientists beg for rescue after team member ‘sexually assaults & threatens to kill colleagues’ at base
SCIENTISTS trapped in Antarctica have pleaded to be rescued after claiming one of their colleagues threatened to kill another member of the team.
A South African research group at the remote Sanae IV base has also accused the same person of sexually assaulting another researcher.
The crew is isolated on their research mission for 10 months as the harsh weather conditions make leaving and entering nearly impossible.
A terrifying email from one of the trapped team members last week sparked huge concern, thousands of miles away from the base.
This message claimed one of the scientists, in the 10-member crew, had attacked the group and issued threats to the team, according to .
The desperate email said: “Regrettably, [his] behaviour has escalated to a point that is deeply disturbing."
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This team member was also accused of sexually assaulting another researcher.
The email added: "Specifically, he physically assaulted [name withheld], which is a grave violation of personal safety and workplace norms.
"Furthermore, he threatened to kill [X], creating an environment of fear and intimidation."
The terrified crew member called for immediate action to be taken to protect the supposedly at-risk crew.
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They added: "I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim."
The email continued: "His behaviour has become increasingly egregious, and I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence."
This research team is surrounded by some of the harshest conditions on earth, where temperatures can plummet to minus 23 degrees and wind speeds can reach 135 miles per hour.
The worrying email called on authorities in South Africa to immediately send help to the Sanae IV base.
This message said: "It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees.”
South Africa’s environment minister, Dion George, said he would personally speak to the team to discuss the situation.
George said: “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 environment minister explained crew members sent to the isolated base undergo psychometric evaluation due to the extreme conditions at the site.
George revealed an initial investigation into the alleged attack said the accused man did not have immediate “dangerous intentions”.
He added South African authorities have reached out to authorities in Norway and Germany, who have bases closest to Sanae IV, "in the event that we need to do an urgent intervention".
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This isolated team is made up of experts in engineering, meteorology, and medicine.
The first Sanae base was opened in 1959.