A stock photo of the Royal Society Range of mountains in Antarctica.
Photo: Getty
A researcher at an isolated base in Antarctica sent a worrying email, accusing another team member of physical and sexual assault, as well as threatening to kill somebody, it's been reported.
An overwintering team, consisting of 10 members, is almost entirely cut off from the outside world at South Africa's Antarctica base amid harsh weather conditions, per South Africa's The Time. According to the U.K. Times, the group is stationed at the SANAE IV (South African National Antarctic Expedition) base located in Vesleskarvet, Queen Maud Land.
Last month, a team member sparked concern after sending an email about a person's "egregious" and "deeply disturbing" behavior, accusing them of physical and sexual assault, as well as threatening to kill somebody, the publication stated.
A group picture of researchers from various science projects pictured at SANAE IV.
Photo: Alamy
"His behavior has become increasingly egregious, and I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence,” the email read, per the outlet. “It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees."
“Regrettably, [his] behavior 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 message continued, the outlet stated.
“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 reportedly added. The person who sent the email and the alleged attacker have not been publicly named.
The message reportedly stated "numerous concerns" about the person in question had allegedly been raised before the S. A. Agulhas II ship that brought them there had departed on its return journey, per the outlet. The journey from Cape Town is approximately 2,485 miles and takes around 10-15 days depending on the amount of ice the group hits on the way, per South Africa's The Times.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), which manages the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), confirmed an investigation is underway regarding the email. Per AccuWeather, temperatures in the area are ranging this week from around 5 degrees Fahrenheit to around -7.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
“The department is responding to these concerns with the utmost urgency and have had a number of interventions with all parties concerned at the base,” DFFE communications chief Peter Mbelengwa said, per South Africa's The Times.
“A full investigation is being commissioned and the department will act accordingly in relation to any wrong conduct against any official that has misconducted themselves,” Mbelengwa added, per the outlet.
DFFE minister Dion George confirmed he'd seen the email, the publication stated.
A group of researchers are pictured at SANAE IV.
Photo: Alamy
South Africa's The Times reported that the only way to leave the base right now would be "via emergency medical evacuation to a neighboring German base" around 186 miles away, citing two sources with inside knowledge.
DFFE's Mbelengwa told the outlet that tests had previously been done to "ensure the team can endure the psychological stress of isolation," per South Africa's The Times.
“In this instance, no negative outcomes were recorded in relation to all the overwinterers in Sanae, which forms a critical component of the department's risk assessment processes,” he said, according to the outlet.
"[They] are being taken through a thorough process and their various options are being discussed. During this unforeseen incident, the department is engaging with the professional that undertook the psychometric evaluation, to have the overwinterers reassessed and to assist with coping mechanisms during their time at the base, inclusive of conflict resolution strategies, interpersonal skills improvement as well as overall counseling and support," he continued.
The first South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) departed in 1959, per the website. As well as SANAE IV, there is also one station each on the subantarctic islands Gough Island and Marion Island.
Professional explorer Alan Chambers, who completed a 700-mile skiing expedition to the South Pole in 2024, said of the Antarctica conditions, per the U.K.'s The Times, “From a psychological perspective it’s a very very lonely place. There’s very little interaction with humans or animals so if you’re in a camp or a research center you’re with those people for six months, if not a year."
“What I think it does, from a psychological point of view, is that everything becomes heightened. It’s all white — there’s no color, no noise and nothing you would see as normal so everybody’s behavior — including your own — gets magnified and the little things become the big things," he added.
Per South Africa's The Times, a person was removed from the Marion Island base after "allegedly running amok with an axe" six years ago.
DFFE's Mbelengwa, a contact for the SANAE IV base and a spokesperson for Dion George didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information regarding the investigation into the emails.
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