Indian police have arrested 24-year-old US tourist Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov for attempting to make contact with the Sentinelese people, an isolated tribe living on North Sentinel Island. Polyakov arrived on the highly restricted island carrying a coconut and a can of Diet Coke, both offerings he intended for the indigenous group.
The Sentinelese, numbering approximately 150 individuals, are among the last uncontacted tribes in the world. Due to the tribe’s vulnerability to outside diseases and their desire to remain undisturbed, India strictly enforces a no-entry policy within 5 kilometers of the island, applicable to both foreigners and locals.
The tourist, who is currently under police custody for further interrogation, was initially presented to a local court after his arrest. He faces charges related to violating the protection laws of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Polyakov reportedly used a motorized inflatable boat to travel across 35 kilometers of open sea, eventually reaching North Sentinel Island. Police claim that he attempted to attract the tribe’s attention by blowing a whistle for about an hour before landing for approximately five minutes. During his brief visit, he left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video.
Authorities confirmed that Polyakov had made prior unsuccessful attempts to reach the island, including one in October 2024, when he was stopped by hotel staff. In January 2025, he tried again, this time using the motorized boat to access the island.
The Sentinelese tribe has a history of hostility toward outsiders, including the infamous incident in 2018 when they killed John Allen Chau, an American missionary who illegally landed on their shores. Due to the tribe’s hostile response and the law protecting their isolation, the Indian government has prohibited any investigations into the killing.
Polyakov’s actions come amid India’s broader geopolitical interests in the Andaman Islands, which are strategically positioned on key global shipping routes. The region is also home to other indigenous tribes like the Jarawa, who face similar threats from external contact.
Indian authorities continue to monitor and prosecute any individuals or locals who attempt to breach the island’s restrictions, underscoring the country’s commitment to preserving the Sentinelese and other tribal communities’ way of life.
