An American tourist, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, has been arrested after illegally venturing to North Sentinel Island. It is a home to one of the world’s most isolated and endangered tribes. The incident occurred on March 29, and Indian authorities detained Polyakov on March 31.
North Sentinel Island, part of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is strictly off-limits to outsiders. This restriction is intended to protect the Sentinelese tribe, who have lived in isolation for thousands of years and are heavily vulnerable to diseases from external content.
Polyakov, described as a “danger tourist” inspired by the fictional character Tintin, meticulously planned his journey. He arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and launched his expedition from Kurma Dera Beach at 1 a.m. on March 29. Using an inflatable boat equipped with a motor and GPS, he crossed a 25-mile strait to reach the island by 10 a.m.
Carrying a coconut and a can of Coca-Cola as offerings, Polyakov attempted to attract the attention of the Sentinelese by blowing a whistle from his boat. When no one appeared, he briefly landed on the northeastern shore, left the offerings, collected sand samples, and recorded video footage using a GoPro camera.
The Sentinelese tribe ignored his gestures entirely. Known for their hostility toward outsiders, they have previously attacked intruders with bows and arrows. The last high-profile incident occurred in 2018 when American missionary John Allen Chau was killed while attempting to contact the tribe.
Polyakov returned to Kumra Dera Beach by 7 pm, where local fishermen spotted him and alerted authorities. He was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) two days later. His GoPro footage confirmed his illegal landing on North Sentinel Island.
Authorities revealed that this was not Polyakov’s first attempt to interact with indigenous tribes in the Andaman Islands. In January 2025, he illegally filmed members of the Jaeawa tribe on Baratang Island. During an earlier visit in October 2024, hotel staff prevented him from attempting another unauthorized trip to North Sentinel Island.
Legal action has been initiated against Polyakov under laws protecting aboriginal tribes. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison for violating India’s strict regulations regarding protected tribal areas.
The incident has sparked concerns among indigenous rights groups and authorities about the potential risks posed by such intrusions. Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, called Polyakov’s actions “deeply disturbing” and warned that such contact could devastate the Sentinelese due to their lack of immunity to modern diseases.