Featured Image Credit: Dr Ross Hofmeyr
Topics: Antarctica, Climate Change, Environment, Science, World News
Liv Bridge
Topics: Antarctica, Climate Change, Environment, Science, World News
A group of scientists who say they are 'trapped' at a small base in Antarctica have sent an urgent rescue plea after claiming a colleague 'threatened to kill' one of them.
The South African research group have spent the last 10 months at the extremely remote Sanae IV base in Antarctica where weather conditions make leaving and entering the center almost impossible.
The location is so secluded in fact, it takes around two weeks just to get to the facility which perches at the top of a freezing cliff.
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The scientists have been dispatched there to study its climate with their mission expected to go on for at least another 10 months.
However, last week one of the isolated team members sent a frantic email which immediately caused alarm.
The letter, seen by South Africa Sunday Times, claimed a colleague had attacked them and was issuing threats to the entire team.
It also alleged the 'threatening' staff member had physically assaulted another colleague.
The letter read in part: "Regrettably, his behaviour has escalated to a point that is deeply disturbing.
"Specifically, he physically assaulted [X], which is a grave violation of personal safety and workplace norms.
"Furthermore, he threatened to kill [X], 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 continued: "His behaviour has become increasingly egregious, and I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence. It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees."
Neither the author of the letter or the accused researcher have been named.
The concerning email comes as the team remain entirely cut off from civilisation, living entirely in the base for shelter from the freezing -23C temperatures and wind speeds of up to 135mph.
Dion George, South Africa’s environment minister, has vowed to speak to the team to 'assess for myself' the situation but stated such conditions can breed 'disorientating' feelings and cabin fever.
He 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," reports The Times.
George also said scientists deployed to the base have to endure rigorous psychological evaluations to determine if they are fit to take on the physically and mentally challenging environment which he compared to outer space.
Alan Chambers, a professional explorer who completed a 700-mile skiing expedition to the South Pole, also told the news outlet it is a 'very, very lonely place' to live in.
"There’s very little interaction with humans or animals so if you’re in a camp or a research centre you’re with those people for six months, if not a year," he added.
"What I think it does, from a psychological point of view, is that everything becomes heightened. It’s all white - there’s no colour, no noise and nothing you would see as normal so everybody’s behaviour - including your own - gets magnified and the little things become the big things.
"The loneliness of the continent has a huge impact on the behaviour of individuals. You really have to be happy with yourself because in the Arctic or the Antarctic you spend a lot of time inside your mind. So if you have a small issue with somebody or something, it can become magnified into a large problem."