2023-09-03 17:33:14
According to media reports, an Australian icebreaker has launched a costly rescue mission to Antarctica. A person at the Casey research station is suffering from a health problem and has to be evacuated, Australian news agency AAP reported over the weekend. The icebreaker “RSV Nuyina” left Hobart on the Australian island of Tasmania in the second half of August and is on its way to the Australian research station around 3500 kilometers away.
It was initially unclear whether the participant in the expedition was a man or a woman. The person needs a specialist examination and needs care in Australia, the AAP wrote, citing the government agency Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). “The well-being of our people is our top priority,” it said. The person’s family will be kept informed of the situation. Further details on the state of health were not initially known. All other participants of the expedition are doing well.
The state-of-the-art icebreaker ship had already been prepared for the voyage in the past few weeks. Helicopters are on board the ship to be used during the evacuation. There is an airfield around 70 kilometers from the research station, but it is currently unusable due to the weather conditions.
Freddy Langer, North Pole Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 32 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 18
According to information from the Australian news channel ABC, the Casey research station is inhabited by around 150 expedition members in summer, and only around 20 in winter. Casey is the closest permanent Antarctic station to Australia.
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