Antarctic base scientists shook from alleged attack

Mark Pointing and Justin Roult

BBC Climate and Science

Dr. A large rocky, a red and white research station over a large rocky, snow -covered outcrop in the middle of Ross Hofmeyer / Wikimedia Antarctica — IV research station in Antarctica where alleged attack took place

A group of scientists have been shaken after a team’s attack at a remote Antarctic research station for months working together for months.

Around 10 researchers usually live at the South African-Interested Station, which sits about 170 km (about 105 mi) from the edge of the snow shelf and is difficult to arrive.

But a spokesman for the South African government told the BBC that after the first allegations of unfair behavior from inside the camp, “there was an attack” at the base.

In another message viewed by the BBC, the South African Environment Ministry said it was responding to concerns with “extreme urgency”.

The Sunday Times of South Africa, which was the first time to report the story, said that the team members were rescued.

The ministry also stated that the teams were subject to “several evaluation” including the background check, reference check, medical evaluation as well as a psychometric evaluation by qualified professionals, which were approved by all members.

The Sanae IV Research base is located more than 4,000 km from the mainland South Africa and the harsh weather conditions means that scientists can be cut off most of the year.

South African Research Campaign has been taking place in Antarctica since 1959.

The map showing the research station near the edge of the Antarctic continent, and the distance of the mainland South Africa, which is more than 4,000 km.

Generally, the campaigns move without the event despite the challenging circumstances.

But on Sunday, the South African Sunday Times reported that a team member had sent an email warning of “deep -harassing behavior” by a team members.

A South African government spokesman told the BBC that the alleged attack was “triggered by a dispute over a task, waning the team to do – a weather -dependent work that required schedule changes”.

Incidents in Antarctica are rare, but not unprecedented. In 2018, there were reports of stabbing at the Russian-operated Belinghson Research Station.

Psychologists indicate that isolation can occur on human behavior.

Craig Jackson, Professor of Workplace Health Psychology at Birmingham City University, said, “One thing we know by these rare events, when something is applied, which works in applicable isolation or capsules, it is often that it is small things, small things that can fly in struggle,” Bermingham City University Professor Croce Professor Croy Jackson said.

He told the BBC, “Therefore about the hierarchy, about the workload allocation, even small things about holiday or ration or food parts can interesting rapidly.

Additional Reporting by Ed Habbarson and Miho Tanaka