“He has written a formal apology to the victim and is willing to verbally apologize to all members at the base,” authorities said of the alleged perpetrator in a statement obtained by PEOPLE
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- A research team working on an isolated base in Antarctica for months are staying where they are after one team member allegedly attacked another, authorities have confirmed
- “He has written a formal apology to the victim and is willing to verbally apologize to all members at the base,” authorities said of the alleged perpetrator in a statement obtained by PEOPLE
- The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister, Dion George, told CBS News the situation is now “under control”
A researcher at an isolated base in Antarctica who allegedly accused another team member of physical assault and threatening to kill a person will continue to stay at the camp along with the rest of their colleagues as the situation is now “under control,” authorities have said.
On Monday, March 17, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) issued a media statement obtained by PEOPLE to provide an update after South Africa’s Sunday Times published a worrying email allegedly sent by a researcher from a group stationed at the SANAE IV (South African National Antarctic Expedition) base located in Vesleskarvet, Queen Maud Land.
The team member who allegedly sent the email spoke about a person’s “egregious” and “deeply disturbing” behavior, accusing them of physical assault, as well as threatening to kill somebody, the outlet reported. The group, who are thought to be stationed at the camp for 10 months, are almost entirely cut off from the outside world amid harsh weather conditions.
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The DFFE has since confirmed that “there were no incidents that required any of the nine overwintering team members to be brought back to Cape Town” in response to the article.
The update read, “The alleged perpetrator has willingly participated in further psychological evaluation, has shown remorse and is willingly cooperative to follow any interventions that are recommended.”
“He has written a formal apology to the victim and is willing to verbally apologize to all members at the base. The Department has also implemented a longer term sustained intervention process through trained professional counseling services in order to restore the relationships and build a healthy working environment,” the statement, shared on behalf of DFFE minister Dion George, added.
“The DFFE have also, in parallel, activated a Labour Relations process to deal with the matter as it relates to the alleged physical assault. An alleged sexual harassment is also being investigated. Reports of sexual assault are not correct,” the post continued.
Minister George will “be engaging the team to reassure them of his support and commitment to their wellbeing. He emphasizes that careful management is required to give comfort to those at the base, and also to their families,” the DFFE stated.
“The ultimate goal would be that all at the SANAE IV are safe and healthy, working together as a team to advance the very important work they are performing in Antarctica,” the department continued.
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George told CBS News on Tuesday, March 18 that “the situation at the base remains calm and all is under control” after the DFFE confirmed in its statement that even if prior “assessments and evaluations show no areas of concern, it is not uncommon that once individuals arrive at the extremely remote areas where the scientific bases are located, an initial adjustment to the environment is required.”
The DFFE has “zero tolerance for any misconduct that would affect the working and relationship conditions at the SANAE IV,” with the department insisting “all was in order” when the group headed to the continent on Feb. 1.
The department explained how the alleged assault between two members of the team had been reported on Feb. 27, and the DFFE “immediately activated the response plan to engage the individuals involved through trained professionals in order to mediate and restore relationships at the base.”
The person who sent the email and the alleged attacker have not been publicly identified.
The journey to the base from Cape Town, South Africa, is approximately 2,485 miles and takes around 10-15 days depending on the amount of ice the group hits on the way, according to South Africa’s Sunday Times.
