Dispute that caused expert stuck in Antarctica to 'threaten to kill' colleague revealed by government official

The dispute which sparked a researcher in Antarctica to email his superiors about a colleague 'threatening to kill' them has been revealed.

A group of nine scientists have been sent to the Sanae IV base for 10 months, and the extreme weather conditions mean they are unable to go outside until their mission is over in December.

Months of isolation can lead to 'psychological' issues, as one South Pole explorer said you're forced to 'spend a lot of time inside your mind'.

But just last week, one of the researchers sent a worrying email, detailing an alleged attack from one their colleagues.

A scientist in the base is fearing for their safety (South Africa National Antarctic Programme)

As reported by the Daily Mail, the dispute took place because the leader of the expedition team changed their work schedule, according to a South African government official.

The alleged behaviour was due to 'a dispute over a task the team leader wanted the team to do – a weather dependent task that required a schedule change'.

In the email, obtained in full by South Africa's Sunday Times, the researcher said: "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.

A researcher in Antartica has accused his colleague of 'threatening to kill' (Getty Stock Images)

"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.

"I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence."

The sender of the email and the accused have remained anonymous as an investigation takes place.

South Africa's environment minister, Dion George, has clarified that the scientists are put through various psychological evaluations to make sure that they are mentally prepared for the extreme conditions and isolation.

The dispute which allegedly sparked the email has been revealed (South Africa National Antarctic Programme)

"There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person. Then it escalated and then that person did physically assault the leader," he said.

He acknowledged that 'you can imagine' how 'disorientating' it can be not communicating with the outside world for so long.

A professional explorer has also warned of what can happen from a 'psychological perspective', reports The Times.

Alan Chambers - who conducted a 700 mile expedition in the South Pole last year - said: “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.

“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.”