Environment minister Dion George is in close contact with staff on the base, a ministry official told AFP, after reports of tension and harassment among the small team that were first reported in The Sunday Times newspaper.

For George, the situation is “calm and all is under control”, the official said.

The nine-member research team sailed from Cape Town to Antarctica on Feb 1 for a mission meant to last about 13 months.

According to The Sunday Times, one of the team members reported that another had “physically assaulted” and “threatened to kill” a colleague.

Allegations of physical assault and sexual harassment are being investigated but reports of sexual assault were not correct, the ministry has said, adding that the incidents did not require any of the team to be returned.

“I am considering available options,” George said yesterday.

“Our team of psychologists and other experts are in direct and constant contact with the team.”