South Africa Addresses Alleged Assault and Harassment at Antarctic Research Station

The accused crew member at SANAE IV base has apologized and is cooperating as remote psychological support continues for the isolated team of nine.

A distress message sent on February 27 reported allegations of assault, sexual harassment, and death threats at the SANAE IV research station in Antarctica.
The South African government activated a response plan, providing daily remote psychological support and mediation for the nine-person team.
The accused crew member has undergone psychological evaluation, expressed remorse, and issued a formal apology to the alleged victim.
Authorities decided against evacuating the team, emphasizing ongoing efforts to restore interpersonal relationships and maintain the station's operations.
The incident highlights the psychological challenges of extreme isolation and draws comparisons to past conflicts at Antarctic research stations.