US tourist arrested after visit to restricted North Sentinel island [View all]

Source: BBC

Influencers 'new' threat to uncontacted tribes, warns group after US tourist arrest

US tourist arrested after visit to restricted North Sentinel island

3 April 2025

Cachella Smith
BBC News

Social media influencers pose a "new and increasing threat" for uncontacted indigenous people, a charity has warned after the arrest of a US tourist who travelled to a restricted Indian Ocean island.

Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, allegedly landed on North Sentinel Island in an apparent attempt to make contact with the isolated Sentinelese tribe, filming his visit and leaving a can of coke and a coconut on the shore.

Survival International, a group that advocates for the rights of tribal people, said the alleged act endangered the man's own life and the lives of the tribe, calling it "deeply disturbing".

The US said it was aware and "monitoring the situation".

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4zl225g8o