London, Aug 8 (IANS): A group of British researchers faced a 19-hour power outage in Antarctic's freezing temperatures after a "serious operational incident" at their research facility in the world's southernmost continent, a media report said Friday.
The 13-member British Antarctic Survey (BAS) team has since last month been dealing with a yet unidentified technical snag at the Halley Research Station, the Sky News reported, adding that "power and some heating are back online".
The station has been able to maintain good satellite communications, said a statement on the BAS website.
According to a researcher, temperatures have been as low as -55.4 degrees Celsius on the Brunt Ice Shelf where the research station is based. "Whilst all the fun was happening at #halley6 (not that it's over) we had the lowest ever recorded temps down here at -55.4. Which was nice," tweeted electrical and renewable energy engineer Anthony Lister.
He added that the team was drinking lots of tea, and all the members are in good health.
"Contingency plans for alternative accommodation on site are in place and ancillary buildings are being made ready in case of a further power-down," BAS said.