A fire has destroyed a major part of the Comandante Ferraz Antactic base, leaving two people dead and one injured.
All of the scientists have been evacuated from the station.
Some military personnel have been able to stay in Antarctica thanks to Chile's hospitality at their Eduardo Frei research base.
Image source: BBC News.
The family of Marine Sergeant Roberto Lopes dos Santos, who died at Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station in Antarctica, while trying to extinguish a fire in the Brazilian base on Saturday, believe that his death was accidental and do not believe anyone is to blame. Master Sergeant Carlos Alberto Vieira Figueiredo also died in the fire. Sergeant Medeiro Luciano Gomes was injured, suffering burns and his daughter Thais is badly shaken.
"There was no breach of safety rules. For me, what happened was inevitable. Safety is paramount at the base, they really look after the safety of the whole base," said Irenaeus Lopes, brother of Santos. "Before they go to Antarctica, they undergo rigorous training. The military who are there are the best: they go through a tough selection, and are psychologically and technically prepared for this," he adds.
The sergeant's wife, Suely Colares, states: "Robert was an exemplary father and companion. He was everything, both in my life and the lives of my children. I can only thank God that he was this wonderful man." she said, weeping.
Correio 26 Feb 2012
The fire has compromised 40% of the Brazilian Antarctic Program according to Jefferson Simões, director of Polar and Climate Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. He says that Antarctic research will continue, but it will take two to three years to rebuild the station due to the logistics problems of the location and the approach of Antarctic winter.
Jornal do Brasil 26 Feb 2012
The base before the fire.
Source: PROANTAR
My translation of Brazilian sources.
Any errors of translation are my responsibility.
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