iStockphoto
Anyone who signs up to spend months confined to a research base in Antarctica needs to possess a certain set of traits to endure what can be a pretty psychologically taxing experience. People who agree to do exactly that are screened to ensure they fit the bill, but it appears one member of a team of researchers from South Africa shouldn’t have been given the green light based on the call for help his colleagues recently sent out.
John Carpenter’s The Thing is widely considered one of the greatest horror movies ever made thanks in no small part to the impressive practical effects responsible for the bulk of its scares, and the tension is heightened by the fact the characters have nowhere to run thanks to the remote research station in Antarctica that serves as the backdrop.
There are currently more than 80 of those outposts on the continent, and while the scientists who are tasked with running them don’t have to worry about encountering an alien life form capable of creating unspeakable monsters while turning them against each other, they do need to be prepared to grapple with the risks that come with dealing with being isolated in a desolate environment for an extended period of time.
That brings us to Sanae IV, a base operated by South Africa located in Vesleskarvet, Queen Maud Land around 50 miles from the coast and approximately 2,500 miles from the tip of the country that oversees it.
According to The Times, Sanae IV is currently home to nine researchers who headed to the outpost knowing they’d be stationed there for around a year before things took a turn toward the end of February due to an unnamed member who reportedly assaulted the team leader and threatened to kill another.
The outlet published excerpts of an email it obtained that was sent by a scientist who issued a call for help while recapping the situation that escalated when the aforementioned assault occurred on February 27th, saying:
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.”
Neither the author nor the person accused of wrongdoing have been named. The letter added: “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 team member was also accused of sexually assaulting another researcher. “His behaviour has become increasingly egregious, and I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence,” the letter said. “It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees.”
CBS News spoke with an environmental minister who has been monitoring the fallout at the station who asserted “the situation at the base remains calm and all is under control,” saying the country deployed trained mediators to address the situation remotely and that they continue to work with the team on a daily basis.
He added the person responsible issued written and verbal apologies and “willingly participated in further psychological evaluation, has shown remorse, and is willingly cooperative to follow any interventions that are recommended.”
As things currently stand, severe weather in the area and ice floes on the boat route used to get to the base make any direct intervention possible for at least ten more months, so here’s to hoping they’re able to keep things under control until then.