Yachts have “nothing to worry about” after American man killed by remote Andaman Islands tribe

After the news that American man John Allen Chau had been killed by local tribes on a remote part of the Andaman Islands, a popular superyacht destination in the Indian Ocean, local yacht agents have emphasised the safety of the area.

In a reassuring statement to Yachting Pages, R. Rathnam of Asia Pacific Superyachts said, “There is nothing to worry about. This is a rare event that occurred and someone has gone to the island where no one has managed to land, including the Indian armed forces. Moreover, going to North Sentinel Island is completely illegal. None of the yachts go even close to the North Sentinel Island where these tribes live. So, it is not connected with the yachts in any case.”

It is illegal to make contact with the Sentinelese tribes of the North Sentinel Island, whose numbers are thought to be between 50-150 individuals, and they have consistently refused contact from outside forces, firing arrows at helicopters and responding with violence to those who get too close. They are not believed to possess genetic immunity to many common diseases, and contact with them could be devastating to the entire population.

Find out more about the Sentinelese.

Survival International, an organisation dedicated to the welfare and protection of tribespeople across the world, released a statement following the incident. Director Stephen Corry said, “This tragedy should never have been allowed to happen. The Indian authorities should have been enforcing the protection of the Sentinelese and their island for the safety of both the tribe, and outsiders.

“Instead, a few months ago the authorities lifted one of the restrictions that had been protecting the Sentinelese tribe’s island from foreign tourists, which sent exactly the wrong message, and may have contributed to this terrible event."

For more information, visit Asia Pacific SuperyachtsSign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.

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