A research group trapped at a small base in Antarctica fear for his or her safety after team member allegedly attacked and threatened to kill a colleague.
The team of 10 scientists, from South Africa, are stuck at Sanae IV base and could possibly be there for several more months as a consequence of extreme weather conditions making it almost unattainable to get out and in of the world.
One in all the group sent an email claiming a colleague had attacked and made threats to kill one other member of staff and had also sexually assaulted a researcher.
The writer of the e-mail, which was shared with South Africa’s Sunday Times, wrote: ‘Regrettably, his behaviour has escalated to a degree that’s deeply disturbing.
‘Specifically, he physically assaulted [X], which is a grave violation of private safety and workplace norms.
‘Moreover, he threatened to kill [X], creating an environment of fear and intimidation.
‘I remain deeply concerned about my very own safety, continually wondering if I’d grow to be the subsequent victim.’
The person emailing said called for something to be done immediately to make sure their very own safety and that of the team.
‘I’m experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence,’ they added.
Neither the writer of the e-mail or the accused have been identified within the article.
South Africa’s environment minister Dion George said he would speak with the team to evaluate the situation.
He added: ‘There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person. Then it escalated after which that person did physically assault the leader.’
He said an initial investigation into the alleged attack said the accused man didn’t have immediate ‘dangerous intentions’.
But he said South African authorities have reached out to authorities in Norway and Germany, who’ve bases closest to Sanae IV, ‘within the event that we’d like to do an urgent intervention’.
The conditions in Antarctica are among the harshest on earth and average temperatures at the moment of yr around around -23C. Winds, meanwhile, can sometimes reach as much as 135mph.
This implies the team will spend most of their time contained in the base.
Mr George added: ‘You’ll be able to imagine what it’s like. It’s close quarters and folks do get cabin fever. It may be very disorientating.’
But he said the team may have undergone a rigorous psychological evaluation to make sure they’re suitable the difficult environment.
Alan Chambers, an explorer who undertook a 700-mile skiing expectation in Antarctica last yr, said that from a psychological perspective the South Pole is a ‘very very lonely place’.
He said if you happen to are stuck with a gaggle of individuals for months on end things grow to be heightened.
‘It’s all white – there’s no color, no noise and nothing you’d see as normal so everybody’s behaviour – including your individual – gets magnified and the little things grow to be the massive things.’
He added that it’s essential to be very pleased with yourself to be stationed in an environment like that.
Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Toddler may lose his eye after being kissed by someone with herpes virus
MORE: British fisherman nearly has his arm ripped off by shark on dream holiday
MORE: ‘Doomsday vault’ takes one other shipment of seeds
