A group of South African scientists trapped in a remote research station in Antarctica have sent a desperate email pleading to be rescued before it is too late, saying one member of the team had sexually assaulted another member and threatened to kill another.
“The 10-person team is trapped at the remote Sanae IV base, which is on a cliff edge about 105 miles inland from the ice shelf, by encroaching ice and weather as the southern hemisphere winter sets,” The Telegraph noted.
Frightened scientists are begging to come home from Antarctica. pic.twitter.com/GFrbOymJe6
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 17, 2025
The Sunday Times out of South Africa reported that a member of the team sent the email to South African officials stating that the behavior of the dangerous member of the team had become “increasingly egregious,” and that they were “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,” the email continued. “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. 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.”
“There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person,” South African Environment Minister Dion George confirmed. “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 Sunday Times reported that the only escape would be to a German base roughly 190 miles away.
One source told the Times, “They were informed of the situation [at Sanae IV] well in advance – way before the season closed … Now there’s nothing they can do as there are no planes or ships going to or leaving Antarctica. … They had all the time to remedy the situation but they simply buried their heads in the sand hoping that it’ll go away. They were informed about the problem as early as December.”
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[[{“value”:”
A group of South African scientists trapped in a remote research station in Antarctica have sent a desperate email pleading to be rescued before it is too late, saying one member of the team had sexually assaulted another member and threatened to kill another.
“The 10-person team is trapped at the remote Sanae IV base, which is on a cliff edge about 105 miles inland from the ice shelf, by encroaching ice and weather as the southern hemisphere winter sets,” The Telegraph noted.
Frightened scientists are begging to come home from Antarctica. pic.twitter.com/GFrbOymJe6
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 17, 2025
The Sunday Times out of South Africa reported that a member of the team sent the email to South African officials stating that the behavior of the dangerous member of the team had become “increasingly egregious,” and that they were “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,” the email continued. “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. 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.”
“There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person,” South African Environment Minister Dion George confirmed. “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 Sunday Times reported that the only escape would be to a German base roughly 190 miles away.
One source told the Times, “They were informed of the situation [at Sanae IV] well in advance – way before the season closed … Now there’s nothing they can do as there are no planes or ships going to or leaving Antarctica. … They had all the time to remedy the situation but they simply buried their heads in the sand hoping that it’ll go away. They were informed about the problem as early as December.”
“}]]
