Inquiry launched as two die at remote Antarctic research station
The maintenance workers were found unconscious at McMurdo outpost
Two technicians working at a research station in Antarctica have died in mysterious circumstances, prompting an investigation by authorities.
The men were employed as subcontractors to perform maintenance at the McMurdo scientific outpost, managed by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) and part of the country’s Antarctic Program. The pair were reportedly working on a fire-suppression system for a building that houses a generator for a nearby radio transmitter.
According to Reuters, they were found unconscious on the floor in the building after a helicopter pilot flying over the station, on Ross Island, “saw what appeared to be smoke coming from the structure and landed to investigate”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Both men were moved away from the building and given CPR, but one was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was flown to a nearby clinic, where he died shortly after arrival, The Guardian reports.
The men were employed by PAE, a Virginia-based subcontractor working for the NSF. The US Antarctic Program has not revealed their identities but confirmed that their next of kin have been informed.
The NSF has yet to announce any information on the cause of the workers’ deaths, and the incident will be investigated and reviewed by a panel convened by the foundation. NSF spokesman Peter West said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious.
Newshub reports that the tragedy “come just months after a Russian polar researcher stationed at a remote Antarctica base was charged with the attempted murder of a colleague in October”.
McMurdo research station was opened by the US in 1955 and is situated near McMurdo Sound, named after a British naval officer who was part of the expedition that first charted the area, in 1841, says the South China Morning Post.
It is the largest research station in Antarctica.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Sleaze baack!'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 April
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
Humza Yousaf clears the decks to battle no-confidence vote
Speed Read First minister is 'done', according to insider, but a single vote could change the balance
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published