Shipwreck at North Sentinel Island (MV Primrose)

In August 1981, the British cargo ship MV Primrose ran aground on a reef near North Sentinel Island in the Bay of Bengal. The crew, stranded by rough weather, soon noticed the presence of the Sentinelese, an indigenous tribe known for their hostility toward outsiders. The crew, fearing an attack, radioed for emergency assistance as the Sentinelese gathered on the shore, armed with bows and arrows.

After several days, the crew was rescued by helicopter, avoiding conflict with the islanders. The wreck of the MV Primrose remained near the island for years, gradually deteriorating. The incident highlighted the isolation of the Sentinelese people and their resistance to external contact.