New Delhi: An American tourist was allegedly killed by a protected tribe in the North Sentinel Islands in Andaman and Nicobar, the police said on Wednesday. Seven fishermen who took John Allen Chau to the island have been arrested. Also Read - COVID-19: 7-day Home Quarantine Mandatory For Flyers Who Test Negative in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

North Sentinel Island is home to Sentinelese who, often violently, reject any contact with the outside world. They are among the last people worldwide to remain virtually untouched by modern civilisation. Also Read - Earthquake Strikes Andaman Islands with Magnitude of 4.9, No Casualties Reported

According to reports, the fishermen told the police that they last saw the tourist being attacked by the natives of the island with bows and arrows. The tribes then dragged him to the beach. They added that when they started sailing away from the island, they saw the tourist’s body half buries in sand. Also Read - Why Long Island in Andamans is The Best For a Peaceful Getaway

“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,” AFP quoted a source as saying.

“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 added.

Chau was reportedly a missionary and had visited the isolated island five times, in his attempts to meet the tribe’s members.

The authorities have launched search operation through helicopters to look for the Ameican tourist’s body. However, the helicopters would not be able to land at the island as the tribes are hostile to any attempt at approaching them.