Photo credit: www.dexerto.com
An arrest was made by Indian authorities involving a YouTuber who tried to make contact with an isolated tribe on North Sentinel Island. The individual, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, was apprehended after reportedly landing on the island with a coconut and a Diet Coke as offerings.
At just 24 years old, Polyakov has gained some notoriety as a content creator focusing on extreme travel, previously creating videos documenting his experiences in high-risk locations such as Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Despite having a modest following of only 867 subscribers, Polyakov had been attempting to gain access to North Sentinel Island for several months, with his initial attempt reported in October 2024.
North Sentinel Island, situated in the Bay of Bengal, is the home of the Sentinelese, a tribe known for their hostile stance towards outsiders. The Indian government has instituted measures to protect their way of life, including strict patrols to prevent unauthorized entry.
In a bid to maintain the tribe’s isolation, access to the island has been prohibited since 1956, although adventurous individuals have, nonetheless, made attempts to breach these restrictions.
YouTuber Arrested After Setting Foot on North Sentinel Island
Polyakov’s attempt to reach the island occurred on Saturday, March 29. He attempted to attract the tribe’s attention by blowing a whistle before stepping onto the land, where he left his offerings, collected a sand sample, and recorded a video, all of which took place in a matter of five minutes before he retreated to his boat.
His actions came to the attention of local law enforcement, leading to his arrest on Monday, March 31. HGS Dhaliwal, the police chief in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, provided information regarding the legal proceedings that followed.
According to Dhaliwal, “The American citizen was presented before the local court and is now on a three-day remand for further questioning.”
“He landed briefly for about five minutes, left offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat. Review of his GoPro footage confirmed his entry onto the restricted island.”
This was not Polyakov’s first attempt; he had previously tried to reach North Sentinel Island in January 2025. His case sharply highlights the risks associated with such endeavors, considering the fate of John Allen Chau, a missionary who was reportedly killed by the tribe in 2018 during a similar illegal attempt.
Polyakov is not alone in his quest; other influencers have faced similar challenges. In 2024, the YouTube group known as The Nelk Boys encountered a remote tribe and drew significant backlash for their controversial interactions, which included offering gifts such as vapes and liquor.
Source
www.dexerto.com