The family of a US man reportedly killed by arrows fired by members of an endangered tribe in India’s Andaman and Nicobar islands have said they forgive those who killed him.
In a statement, they said John Allen Chau “loved God, life, helping those in need, and had nothing but love for the Sentinelese people”.
Seven people who helped him reach North Sentinel island have been arrested.
The Indian authorities say it may take “some days” to recover Mr Chau’s body.
A missionary who was in contact with Mr Chau in the last days of his trip says his aim was to bring the gospel to the island’s tribesmen.
Outsiders are banned from even approaching the island to protect the people who live there, and their way of life.
The complete isolation of the Sentinelese people means contact with the outside world could put them at risk, as they are likely to have no immunity to even common illnesses such as flu and measles.
Mr Chau’s family released a statement on Instagram, saying he had gone to the island of “his own free will”.
“We also ask for the release of those friends he had in the Andaman Islands. He ventured out of his own free will and his local contacts need not be persecuted for his own actions,” the statement said.
