Martin-de-Viviès scientific station threatened by flames

The scientific station on Amsterdam Island was evacuated.

The 31 people on mission on Amsterdam – the southern Indian Ocean island administered by the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) – were evacuated this morning. The Martin-de-Viviès station is now empty and no injuries have been reported.

Yesterday afternoon (local time), 2.5 kilometers from the main infrastructure, a fire broke out “in the vicinity of the scientific buildings located on Pointe Bénédicte”, according to the TAAF press release. Located away from the base, this facility has been measuring atmospheric CO2 concentration for over forty years, as well as traces of pollutants and radioactive particles in the air.

The circumstances surrounding the start of the fire were not described in the press release, but strong westerly winds are pushing the flames through the vegetation towards Martin-de-Viviès. The French Southern and Antarctic Lands opened a crisis unit on Reunion Island (near Madagascar) as soon as the alert was given.

The fire department, Météo-France and the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre joined them to anticipate the progress of the fire and organize a rescue operation by sea. The French supply vessel Marion Dufresne II has been diverted and is due to arrive on site tomorrow. The caseyeur and langoustier Austral was able to take on board the 31 people aboard this morning (local time).

Tomorrow, transshipment between the two vessels should take place to free the fishing vessel.

Camille Lin, Polar Journal AG