John Allen Chau death: Authorities call off search for missionary killed by Sentinelese tribe

Shot dead by arrows: John Allen Chau
Sophie Williams27 November 2018

The search for the body of an American killed on North Sentinel island has been called off by Indian Officials.

John Allen Chau,27, is said to have died in a hail of arrows as he set foot on North Sentinel island, part of the India-controlled Adaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

The island , which the adventurer approached earlier this month, is one of the few places left with no contact with the outside world and is strictly out of bounds for visitors.

Director general of police of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, told CNN: “We do not want to go there and create an unhappy situation.

Authorities had conducted several meetings and reconnaissance trips however came to the conclusion that it would be best to avoid confrontation with the tribe.

Shot dead: American adventurer John Allen Chau
AP

However they will not rule out retrieving the body at a later date.

Speaking after the alleged incident, Mr Chau’s family shared their grief in an emotional statement posted on the missionary’s Instagram page on Wednesday.

“He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and best friend to us,” the statement said. “We forgive those reportedly responsible for his death.”

It added: “He ventured there [to the island] on his own free will and his local contacts need not be persecuted for his own actions.

This member of the Sentinelese tribe was photographed firing arrows at a helicopter which was sent to check up on the tribe in the wake of a 2004 tsunami
Survival International

“As a family, we ask for your understanding and respect for him and us during this time.”

The statement emerged as Mr Chau’s diary revealed remarkable details of his final days, in which he wrote to his family “God, I don’t want to die” in a final note before being killed.

While visits to the island are heavily restricted, Mr Chau paid fishermen last week to take him near North Sentinel, using a kayak to paddle to shore and bringing gifts including a football and fish.

It was "a foolish adventure," said PC Joshi, an anthropology professor at Delhi University who has studied the islands. "He invited that aggression."

Joshi noted that the visit not only risked Chau's life, but also the lives of islanders who have little resistance to many diseases. "They are not immune to anything. A simple thing like flu can kill them," he said.

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