Missionary killed in hail of arrows by tribesmen on remote island
A MISSIONARY was killed by tribesmen armed with bows and arrows moments after landing on a remote Indian Ocean island to try to convert them to Christianity.
John Chau paid fishermen to take him to North Sentinel Island where about 150 indigenous people live in isolation.
The American adventurer was dropped offshore and completed his journey in a canoe. As he arrived the 27-year-old was hit by a hail of arrows shot by tribesmen who then tied a rope around his neck and dragged his body across the sand.
The fishermen who took him to the island watched the attack before sailing off. They returned the following morning and found his body on a beach.
Travel to North Sentinel, one of the Andaman islands in the Bay of Bengal, is banned to protect the indigenous population from disease and to preserve their way of life.
Previous attempts to contact the Sentinelese tribe have been met with violent attacks using arrows, spears and knives.
Last night friends of Mr Chau said he was aware of the dangers but went because he believed it was his ‘calling from God’.
‘This was an act of love and sacrifice,’ said Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern. ‘He knew the danger going in, you don’t have to dig very far to know this was very dangerous.
‘The guys that are willing to go to the ends of the world are adventure hounds, but they have a higher calling to bring the gospel.’
Indian police based in the Andamans said a murder investigation had been opened and the seven fishermen who took Mr Chau have been arrested.
His Sentinelese killers will not be prosecuted because India does not interfere with their affairs, granting them effective autonomy within a three-mile exclusion zone. Police said Mr Chau had visited the island four or five times previously with the help of fishermen.
Sources said he tried to reach North Sentinel on November 14, but had to abort his mission. ‘Two days later he went well prepared,’ a source said. ‘He left the fishing boat midway and took a canoe by himself to the island.
‘He was attacked by arrows when he landed but he continued walking. The fishermen saw the tribesmen 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.’
Mr Chau, who is from Vancouver in Washington State, was a paramedic who travelled to deprived regions offering medical assistance and Bible teachings.
In a previous interview, he said: ‘Make the most of every good opportunity don’t know what’s today going because to happen you tomorrow.
‘Adventurers like John Muir, Bruce Olson and David Livingstone inspire me to go travel and explore, and I definitely get my inspiration for life from Jesus.’
Neil MacLeod, from the island of Lewis in Scotland, became friends with Mr Chau through their shared interest in Christianity. He said: ‘He recognised the dangers of travelling there, but I think he had a calling.
‘In his view, he was trying to help these people. He was a lovely character and wanted to help people. The thing that came across was what a delight it was to be in his company.
‘You might have an idea of what a missionary might be like, he was a million miles from that. I’m has happened.’ just very sorry about what University friend Christian Vaughan said: ‘He was heroic – he would always lead from the front. He was selfless and one of the most interesting men I have ever met. He was just a very brave man.’ In 2006, two Indian fishermen who moored their boat while they slept were killed when the vessel broke loose and drifted onto the shore. The island was hit by the tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean in 2004 but little is known about the impact it had. Days later, a member of the tribe fired an arrow at an Indian coastguard helicopter. Indian authorities make checks on the tribe from boats anchored at a safe distance from shore.
‘Tying a rope around his neck’