Man vanished in Antarctica 66 years ago traced by British authority
Discovered After 66 Years: The Remains of Dennis Bell, Antarctic Pioneer
In a remarkable discovery, the remains of Dennis Bell, a British meteorologist who went missing in Antarctica in 1959, have been found after six decades. The remains, along with over 200 personal items, were discovered by a Polish Antarctic expedition on King George Island.
Dennis Bell, a 25-year-old meteorologist, was serving at the British air base in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, when he fell into a hidden crevasse on July 26, 1959. He was conducting surveys on a glacier, and while encouraging tired dogs ahead of him, he suddenly disappeared. His companion, Jeff Stokes, heard him and lowered a rope to pull him up, but the rope was tied to Bell’s belt rather than around his body, and as Bell reached the crevasse lip, his belt snapped, causing him to fall back into the ice. Despite search efforts, Bell’s body was never recovered at the time.
The discovery of Bell’s remains was made possible due to the retreat of ice in Antarctica. A team of Polish scientists found the remains and personal items exposed by a retreating glacier near Ecology Glacier on King George Island on January 19, 2025. The remains and items were later confirmed by DNA analysis of family members.
Dennis Bell served in the British Air Force for military service before joining the FIDS, the precursor of the British Antarctic exploration agency, in 1958. His contributions to the early stages of exploration and research in Antarctica were highlighted by Jane Francis, the director of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
David Bell, Dennis' brother, was shocked upon learning that his brother had been found after 66 years. This event serves as a reminder of the human journeys linked to the history of research in Antarctica, according to Jane Francis.
King George Island, the largest island of the South Shetland Islands, was the site of Bell's tragic accident. The discovery of Bell's remains has led to the naming of Bell Point on King George Island in his honor.
This event highlights the dangers of Antarctic exploration, especially around crevassed glacial terrain, and the impact of long-term glacial movement and melting in revealing historical artifacts.
Timeline of Events:
- July 26, 1959: Dennis Bell falls into a hidden crevasse while on a survey mission near Ecology Glacier, King George Island.
- Immediate rescue attempt by Jeff Stokes fails when Bell’s belt snaps.
- Bell’s body is not recovered despite search efforts due to harsh conditions.
- January 19, 2025: A Polish Antarctic expedition finds Bell’s remains and personal items exposed by a retreating glacier.
- DNA confirmation and recovery of remains occur in 2025, ending the mystery.
References: [1] BBC News [2] The Guardian [3] The Telegraph [4] The New York Times [5] BAS News
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