In a startling repeat of history, Indian authorities have detained an American tourist who illegally ventured onto North Sentinel Island—a highly restricted territory home to one of the world’s last uncontacted tribes—just seven years after another American was killed by the same Indigenous group.

Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov left coconut and Diet Coke—for the reclusive tribe

Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, was arrested Monday after making unauthorized contact with the protected Sentinelese people, who have lived in isolation for thousands of years on their remote island in India’s Andaman archipelago.

According to Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Chief HGS Dhaliwal, Polyakov used an inflatable motorboat to travel approximately 22 miles across open waters to reach the forbidden island.

“The American citizen was presented before the local court after his arrest and is now on a three-day remand for further interrogation,” Dhaliwal told AFP.

Authorities report that Polyakov spent about an hour offshore blowing a whistle to attract attention before landing on the beach, where he left unusual offerings—a coconut and a can of Diet Coke—for the reclusive tribe estimated to number only around 150 people.

“He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat,” Dhaliwal explained. “A review of his GoPro camera footage showed his entry and landing into the restricted North Sentinel Island.”

Repeated attempts

Police investigation revealed this wasn’t Polyakov’s first attempt to reach the Sentinelese. He reportedly visited the region twice in recent months, first trying to approach the island using an inflatable kayak in October 2024 before being stopped by hotel staff. A second unsuccessful attempt followed during another visit in January 2025.

Indian law strictly prohibits anyone—including Indian citizens—from traveling within three miles of North Sentinel Island. These restrictions aim to protect the indigenous population from outside diseases to which they have no immunity and to preserve their traditional way of life.

Echoes of a tragic precedent

Polyakov’s incursion evokes disturbing parallels to the 2018 death of John Allen Chau, a 27-year-old American missionary who was killed by arrows shortly after illegally landing on the same island. Chau’s body was never recovered, and no investigation was conducted due to laws prohibiting access to the protected area.

The Sentinelese have consistently demonstrated hostility toward outsiders. A notable photograph released by the Indian Coast Guard and Survival International approximately two decades ago captured a Sentinelese man aiming a bow and arrow at a passing helicopter, illustrating their desire to remain isolated.

“Reckless and idiotic”

International indigenous rights organization Survival International condemned Polyakov’s actions in the strongest terms.

“It beggars belief that someone could be that reckless and idiotic,” said Carolina Pearce, the group’s director. “This person’s actions not only endangered his own life, they put the lives of the entire Sentinelese tribe at risk. 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.”

Strategic significance

North Sentinel Island is part of the broader Andaman and Nicobar Islands chain, which India views as strategically important due to their proximity to major global shipping lanes. The archipelago lies closer to Myanmar than to mainland India.

The Indian government has announced plans to invest at least $9 billion to expand naval and air bases, troop accommodations, port facilities, and urban infrastructure in the region.

Authorities are now investigating whether Polyakov received assistance from locals in his illicit journey, as Indian officials have previously prosecuted individuals who have aided unauthorized attempts to contact the isolated tribe.

The Andaman Islands are also home to the 400-member Jarawa tribe, another vulnerable indigenous group that activists say faces ongoing threats from outside contact, with past incidents of tourists bribing officials to arrange encounters with tribal members.

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