Scientist stuck in Antarctica for 10 months sends desperate email pleading for help over fears their colleague will kill them

Sounding like a subplot of John Carpenter's The Thing, one scientist ‘trapped’ in Antarctica has sent a desperate email pleading for help, also claiming their colleague is trying to kill them. The South African government is now poised to intervene amid fears for the mental well-being of the 10 scientists currently stationed as the overwintering team on the Sanae IV base.

The group is supposed to be conducting research for the next 10 months, but with chilly -58°F temperatures and remote conditions, there are worries about what this can do to your sanity.

In an email obtained by South Africa's Sunday Times, there's a chilling exchange where one scientist pleads for help. They wrote: "Regrettably, his behaviour has escalated to a point that is deeply disturbing. Specifically, he physically assaulted [X], which is a grave violation of personal safety and workplace norms.

The team are stationed at Sanae IV base for 10 months (South African National Antarctic Programme)

"Furthermore, he threatened to kill [X], creating an environment of fear and intimidation. I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim."

South Africa's Environment Minister Dion George vowed to personally speak to team members "to assess for myself," and added: "There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person. Then it escalated and then that person did physically assault the leader. You can imagine what it’s like, it is close quarters and people do get cabin fever. It can be very disorientating."

Still, George reiterated that all scientists undergo psychometric evaluation due to the remote conditions and the whole experience likened to being in outer space.

As reported by The Times, professional explorer Alan Chambers explained the harsh reality of being out there: "From a psychological perspective it’s a very very lonely place. There’s very little interaction with humans or animals so if you’re in a camp or a research centre you’re with those people for six months, if not a year.

"What I think it does, from a psychological point of view, is that everything becomes heightened. It’s all white — there’s no colour, no noise and nothing you would see as normal so everybody’s behaviour — including your own — gets magnified and the little things become the big things."

Adding how the weather is so cold you can't even go outside, Chambers suggested he isn't surprised that the team is being pushed to their limits.

He continued: "The loneliness of the continent has a huge impact on the behaviour of individuals. You really have to be happy with yourself because in the Arctic or the Antarctic you spend a lot of time inside your mind. So if you have a small issue with somebody or something, it can become magnified into a large problem."

The South African government also oversees a base on Marion Island, where an incident involving an 'unstable' team member in 2017 saw someone destroy their room with an ax and attack their colleague with a frying pan.

George reiterated that they don't think the person involved in the Sanae IV emails has "dangerous intentions," but "in the event that we need to do an urgent intervention," counterparts in Norway and Germany might send personnel from their own bases, with the nearest being 200 miles away.