Trouble at South Africa’s Antarctic Research Base SANAE IV

A serious situation has developed at South Africa’s Antarctic research base, SANAE IV, where nine researchers are spending more than a year in one of the most isolated places on Earth. The team consists of scientists, engineers, and a doctor, but their mission has been disturbed by a major conflict among the members.

Incident at SANAE IV

One member of the team has been accused of violent behavior, including physical assault, making threats, and sexual harassment. The issue became public after a team member sent an urgent email to South African authorities on February 27, 2025. The message described the situation as dangerous and asked for help, saying, “I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim.”

The accused team member allegedly assaulted the base leader and made a death threat. The situation created fear and tension among the team members, who are stuck at the base until December 2025, when the next supply ship is expected to arrive.

Government Response

South Africa’s Department of Environment, which oversees the research missions, confirmed that an assault had taken place. Officials have been speaking with the team almost every day to manage the conflict. They also reported that the accused person has undergone psychological evaluation, expressed remorse, and written an apology to the victim.

Despite this, authorities have decided not to evacuate anyone from the base. Due to Antarctica’s extreme weather conditions, rescue operations are difficult and dangerous. The team must now continue living and working together under these tense circumstances.

Life at the SANAE IV Base

SANAE IV is located on a cliff in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, surrounded by a vast glacial ice sheet. The station, built in 1997, is about 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) from South Africa and is designed to withstand freezing temperatures and powerful winds.

Researchers at the base live in extreme isolation for about 13 months. From March to September, the region experiences six months of total darkness, with temperatures dropping as low as -75°F (-60°C) and wind speeds reaching over 60 mph (96 km/h). Living in such conditions can be challenging, both physically and mentally.

Challenges of Isolation in Antarctica

Experts say that being in an isolated and confined environment for a long time can cause psychological stress. Even small issues, like work schedules or personal habits, can turn into major conflicts.

Craig Jackson, a professor of workplace health psychology, explains that in extreme isolation, “tiny things can blow up into conflict.” Gabrielle Walker, a scientist who has been on expeditions to Antarctica, describes how people become highly aware of each other’s small behaviors, which can cause irritation over time.

This is not the first time conflicts have occurred at remote research stations. In 2018, there was a stabbing at a Russian Antarctic station, and in 2017, a South African researcher on Marion Island attacked a colleague’s room with an ax over a personal dispute.

The South African government says they are monitoring the situation closely and taking the complaints seriously. While they believe that the team members were properly evaluated before their mission, they admit that adjusting to such a remote environment is difficult for some people.

Despite the recent troubles, SANAE IV is still looking for new researchers to join future missions. The job offers a salary of about 600,000 South African rand ($32,700) for a two-year contract, along with food, accommodation, and protective clothing. However, applicants must be prepared for extreme conditions and the psychological challenges of isolation.

For now, the current team at SANAE IV must find a way to work together until December, when they will finally be able to return home.