Adapted by:
Miguel Jorge
WriterJournalist. I've spent more than half of my life writing about technology, science, and culture. Before landing here, I worked at Telefónica, Prisa, Globus Comunicación, Hipertextual, and Gizmodo. I'm part of Webedia's cross-section team.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
In 1982, master filmmaker John Carpenter explored the dark side of icy isolation at an Antarctic research station. Through science fiction, The Thing delved into the human psyche under conditions ripe for paranoia and conflict. In 2018, a real-life violent incident at a Russian station drew comparisons to Carpenter’s classic. Now, a similar situation is unfolding: Nine researchers are stranded at an Antarctic base, with no escape. One of them poses a threat to the others’ safety.
The investigation. In February 2025, the South African government received its first report detailing serious allegations from a team of nine researchers stationed at the Antarctic base Sanae IV. The complaint came less than a month after the team began a 13-month mission.
According to leaks, one victim reportedly sent an email to the South African government describing an attack, the assailant’s disturbing behavior, and direct threats to their life. However, the government hasn’t confirmed the contents of the email or disclosed details about the accused or the victim.
Government decision. Recently, the South African government decided against evacuating any team members after investigating allegations of physical assault and sexual harassment at the station.
Environment Minister Dion George told The New York Times that the situation is now “under control,” the alleged attacker has expressed remorse, and the government has activated a mediation protocol with psychological support. However, the base’s extreme remoteness—over 2,600 miles from Cape Town—and harsh environmental conditions have complicated the investigation, raising concerns about the team’s safety and well-being.
Antarctica: an inhospitable environment. The Sanae IV base is one of many scientific facilities in Antarctica. Researchers live in extreme isolation for months and can’t leave due to severe weather conditions.
The hostile environment, with extreme temperatures, ice storms, and months of total darkness, amplifies interpersonal conflicts. Victims can’t escape their aggressors or seek immediate help, making such situations particularly dangerous.
Recent cases. Misconduct and violence at Antarctic bases aren’t new. In the early 2000s, geologist Jane K. Willenbring reported being sexually harassed during an expedition, though she didn’t file a complaint until 2016, after achieving professional stability.
One of the most high-profile cases occurred in 2018, when a researcher at a Russian station stabbed a colleague in what was described as an emotional breakdown caused by isolation. A year earlier, at a South African base, one researcher destroyed another’s computer with an axe over a romantic dispute. These incidents highlight the psychological toll of prolonged isolation and the challenges of monitoring behavior in such extreme environments.
What does the law say? The Antarctic Treaty, signed by 53 countries in the mid-20th century, governs the region. It stipulates that offenders will be judged according to their country of origin’s jurisdiction. However, there are no law enforcement or judicial authorities on the continent.
The logistical dilemma. Logistics and operational needs influenced the South African government’s decision not to evacuate anyone. In winter, ice storms make evacuation impossible without risking the entire crew’s lives. Additionally, each team member plays a critical role in maintaining the station. Removing even one person could render the base—a key infrastructure for South Africa’s scientific research—unusable.
Dawn Sumner, a professor at the University of California, noted that removing a single person would destabilize the team and hinder the station’s operations. The physical structure of Sanae IV also limits the ability to fully isolate the accused from others.
Protocols and prevention. To prevent incidents, researchers undergo a rigorous selection process similar to that used for astronauts, evaluating technical skills, psychological history, medical background, and teamwork ability. However, even with these measures, conflicts in extreme environments remain a constant threat.
Minister George assured that no issues were found during the team’s evaluation before their departure in February. Yet, recent events suggest current protocols may not suffice for long-term missions.
The coming winter. Despite the current calm, experts warn the worst is yet to come. July and August will bring total darkness and even more extreme temperatures, potentially exacerbating tensions and psychological risks. As Sumner told The Times, “They are having these extreme problems and it isn’t even dark yet,” suggesting the situation could worsen.
The combination of isolation, extreme weather, and interpersonal conflict with no escape route makes this a high-risk case. While South Africa insists the situation is under control, the history of violence at Antarctic bases and limited response options raise concerns about the team’s welfare in the coming months.
Image | Cassie Matias (Unsplash)
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