American Tourist Arrested for Illegal Visit to North Sentinel Island

Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands — A 24-year-old American, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, was arrested on March 31 for allegedly entering the restricted tribal reserve of North Sentinel Island without authorization, according to local police. Authorities report that Polyakov was apprehended after launching a boat from Kurma Dera beach early on March 29 and making his way to the island.

Polyakov arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and meticulously planned his venture to North Sentinel. Equipped with GPS navigation tools, he set out around 1 a.m. on March 29, carrying a coconut and a can of cola, which he claimed were offerings for the indigenous Sentinelese tribe, known for their hostile demeanor toward outsiders.

Upon reaching the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island by 10 a.m., Polyakov used binoculars to survey the area but did not spot any tribe members. After remaining offshore and blowing a whistle for an hour without receiving any response, he briefly landed on the island for five minutes, leaving the offerings and collecting sand samples while recording video footage.

He returned to Kurma Dera Beach around 7 p.m., where he was later observed by local fishermen who alerted authorities. DGP HS Dhaliwal indicated that ongoing investigations were being conducted to determine Polyakov’s intentions and any other locations he may have visited in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Police retrieved an inflatable boat and an outboard motor that Polyakov had assembled at a local workshop. His earlier trips to the islands were also scrutinized, as he had attempted reconnaissance of North Sentinel Island using an inflatable kayak in October 2024 and allegedly filmed the Jarawa tribe during a visit to Baratang Islands in January 2025.

An FIR has been filed against Polyakov under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012, based on a complaint from the Tribal Welfare Officer of Tirur, Pronab Sircar. The police communicated his arrest to the Home Department for subsequent notification to the Ministry of External Affairs and the U.S. Embassy.

The Sentinelese people, who inhabit North Sentinel Island, are a particularly vulnerable tribe, having lived in isolation for thousands of years. The Indian government has designated the island as a protected area to preserve the tribe’s autonomy and protect them from diseases to which they may have no immunity.

In November 2018, American missionary John Chau was killed by the Sentinelese when he attempted to approach them, highlighting the dangers of encroaching on this isolated tribe’s territory.