April 3, 2025: In a daring and ill-fated adventure, a 24 year old American tourist, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, has been arrested for allegedly visiting the North Sentinel Island, where lives one of the World’s most isolated and endangered communities. The Sentinelese tribe, inhabiting North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has had no contact with the outside world for over 30 years.

Polyakov’s journey began on March 26, when he arrived in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Despite the strict prohibition on outsiders visiting North Sentinel Islands, Polyakov allegedly launched a solo expedition to the island, departing from Kurma Dera beach at 1 am on March 29.

With a coconut and a can of cola in hand, intended as a tribute to the Sentinelese, Polyakov reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel island by 10 am. He used binoculars to survey the area, blowing a whistle to attract attention, but was met with complete silence.

The tribe, known for their hostility towards outsiders, ignored Polyakov’s offerings, leaving him to collect sand samples, record a video and retreat back to his boat.

The Sentinelese tribe, designated as a particularly vulnerable tribal group, has a history of violence against outsiders. In 2018, American missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the tribe when he attempted to make contact.

Polyakov’s arrest by the CID has raised concerns about the safety and well being of both the intruder and the island’s inhabitants. Authorities are working to uncover the motives behind his visit.