The surprising reason an Antarctic researcher stabbed his colleague
An Antarctic researcher has been arrested for stabbing his colleague in the chest after becoming enraged at the confined living space at the outpost they were stationed.
Both men are from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) and work at Bellingshausen Station, a Russian Antarctic station at Collins Harbour, on King George Island of the South Shetland Islands.
According to reports, engineer Sergey Savitsky, 54, attacked welder Oleg Belogusov, 52, with a knife in the station’s canteen.
It is understood that there were tense relations between Mr Savitsky and Mr Belogusov and that living in a confined space provoked the incident.
After a short exchange of angry words, Mr Savitsky reportedly grabbed a knife and stabbed Mr Belogusov once in the chest before reporting himself to the station chief Aleksandr Klepikov.
Mr Belogusov was transported to a hospital in Chile in a serious condition.
“He [Belogusov] was provided with qualified medical care,” Mr Klepikov said.
“His condition is stable.
“He is going to be transported to Russia soon.”
After the incident, Mr Savitsky was sent back to Russia and he landed in Pulkovo Airport in the northern Russian city of St Petersburg.
In St Petersburg, Mr Savitsky faced a court hearing and was placed under house arrest while the investigation is ongoing.
Reports say this is the first such a crime has occurred at a Russian station in Antarctica. Twelve researchers continue their work at the Bellingshausen Station.
The Bellingshausen Station was founded by the Soviet Union in 1968 and is named after the 19th century Russian explorer of the Antarctic.
-WIth Australscope
