US Tourist Arrested for Sneaking Into North Sentinel Island

5 hours ago 2

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An American tourist has been arrested for allegedly traveling to North Sentinel Island. The island, which is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is one of the most isolated islands in the Indian Ocean. This is not the first time an American has attempted to enter the island out of curiosity and a sense of adventure.

The 24-year-old YouTuber, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, visited North Sentinel Island on March 29, 2025. According to BBC reports, Polyakov landed on the island and attempted to make contact with the reclusive local tribe by blowing a whistle. He reportedly recorded his visit for five minutes with a GoPro camera. Additionally, he left a can of soda and a coconut on the shore as an offering and collected sand.

A fisher who saw Polyakov on his way back to the nearest island reported him to the police. As a result of his actions, the police seized the boat he used to reach the island, including his mobile phone and camera. The police are currently investigating the incident. They told CNN that Polyakov had planned the trip to the island for some time.

Meanwhile, the US Department of State stated that they were aware of the “reports of the detention” of a US citizen in India. However, there was no further comment due to privacy considerations. "The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad," the agency said in a statement to USA Today.

Isolated Tribe

According to the indigenous rights organization Survival International, North Sentinel Island is home to the isolated Sentinel tribe. The tribe wishes to remain isolated from the outside world, and any contact can endanger the community if they are exposed to diseases. Indian law prohibits travel within three miles of the island, including for fishing. Usually, the Coast Guard patrols the waters to ensure no one gets close.

Caroline Pearce, the Director of Survival International, laments the reckless actions of people who visit the island. Not only do they endanger their own lives, but also the entire Sentinel tribe. "It’s very well known by now that uncontacted peoples have no immunity to common outside diseases like flu or measles, which could completely wipe them out," Pearce said.

Prior to Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, American Christian missionary John Allen Chau attempted to visit North Sentinel Island in 2018. He paid fishers to take him close to the island and then paddled a kayak for the rest of the journey. Carrying a Bible and gifts, such as a soccer ball, he managed to make contact with some Sentinel tribe members.

Unfortunately, Chau was shot with arrows and buried on the beach. However, it is not known what led to him being shot. Nevertheless, seven people, including the fishers and local tour guides, were arrested for assisting his journey to the isolated island.

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