Summary

A South African scientist at the remote Sanae IV Antarctic base has been accused of sexual assault and violent threats, prompting urgent pleas for help.

The 10-person team is stranded for months due to extreme winter conditions. Officials were warned of the escalating situation as early as December but failed to act.

South Africa’s environment department has launched an investigation and is offering counseling.

The incident raises concerns over psychological screening for Antarctic missions, echoing past violent incidents in South Africa’s research programs.

  • null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    22 hours ago

    Your comment is kinda case-in-point demonstrating how “frontier” justice can be unjust.

    Other publications are reporting physical assault, not sexual. It could have been a slap. Still unacceptable but probably doesn’t deserve death by exposure.

    My point is, it sounds like a difficult situation but following procedure and running it up the chain is always the right move.

    • Cryophilia@lemmy.world
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      18 hours ago

      The body of this article also only mentions physical assault. It appears the telegraph completely made up the sexual assault part and is whipping people into a frenzy over it.