In a bold yet reckless stunt gone wrong, 24-year-old American YouTuber Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov was arrested by Indian authorities after illegally entering the highly restricted North Sentinel Island. Known for its fiercely isolated tribe, the island is off-limits to the public under Indian law. Polyakov, hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona, reportedly traveled by boat and left offerings,including a can of Diet Coke on the shore while filming his journey. His attempt to go viral has landed him in serious legal trouble, shining a harsh light on the dangerous extremes content creators sometimes take.

The Sentinelese tribe, who inhabit the island, have remained untouched by modern civilization and are known to resist any form of outside contact. Their protection is a priority under Indian law, with a buffer zone of three nautical miles strictly enforced to prevent cultural disruption and disease transmission. Polyakov's journey breached this boundary, prompting local fishermen to alert authorities. He was detained in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and has been placed in 14 day judicial custody pending further investigation.

Survival International, a global organization advocating for indigenous rights, strongly condemned the act, labeling it “reckless and idiotic.” They warned that such stunts not only endanger the YouTuber's life but also risk exposing the uncontacted tribe to deadly pathogens. The incident draws parallels to the 2018 case of American missionary John Allen Chau, who was killed after a similar illegal approach to the island.

Polyakov now faces charges under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation and may be sentenced to prison or face a significant fine. His arrest serves as a stark reminder, chasing views at the expense of laws and lives can cost life.