“Hit By Arrows, Kept Walking”: American Killed By Protected Andaman Tribe

Seven fishermen who took the American John Allen Chau to North Sentinel Island, where the indigenous Sentinelese people live, have been arrested, the police said

PORT BLAIR/NEW DELHI, NOV 21: A protected tribe in the Andamans felled an American tourist with arrows. Seven fishermen who took him to the island have been arrested police said on Wednesday. Seven fishermen took 27-year-old John Allen Chau to North Sentinel Island, where the indigenous Sentinelese people live.

The Sentinelese, are a protected tribe at threat from outsiders. Their population in 2011 was estimated at 40. They are known to resist contact with the outside world. Many tourists often bribe locals to access them.

The fishermen told the police that they last saw the American man facing a flurry of arrows after he landed on the island towards the southern Andamans on November 16. The tribes dragged the American to the beach, they said, adding that moments later as they were sailing away they saw Mr. Chau’s body half-buried in the sand.

“He tried to reach the Sentinel Island on November 14 but could not make it. Two days later he went well prepared. He left the dingy midway and took a canoe all by himself to the island,” a source told news agency AFP. “He was attacked by arrows but he continued walking. The fishermen saw the tribals tying a rope around his neck and dragging his body. They were scared and fled but returned next morning to find his body on the sea shore,” the source said.