Authorities in Australia say an Australian who fell ill at a remote Antarctic base is returning home on an icebreaker following a daunting mission to rescue him.

An Australian who fell ill at a remote Antarctic base is returning home on an icebreaker following a daunting mission to rescue him, authorities said Tuesday.

The man was working at the Casey research station when he suffered from what authorities described as a developing medical condition that needed specialist assessment and care.

The icebreaker RSV Nuyina left Australia last week and traveled south more than 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles), breaking through sea ice to reach a location 144 kilometers (89 miles) from the base, the Australian Antarctic Division said in a statement.

From there, two helicopters were deployed from the deck Sunday and arrived at the base after nearly an hour to rescue the man.