Updated July 10, 2024 at 12:15 p.m.
The Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior was bombed on this day in 1985. The bombing was carried out by agents of the French intelligence service, specifically the "Action Service" division of the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE).
Get This Happened straight to your inbox ✉️ each day! Sign up here.
What was the motive behind the Rainbow Warrior bombing?
The French government at the time targeted the Rainbow Warrior because it was protesting French nuclear tests in the Pacific. The motive behind the bombing was to disrupt Greenpeace's activities and intimidate the organization.
Where did the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior take place?
The bombing took place in Auckland, New Zealand. The Rainbow Warrior was docked in the port of Auckland as part of its campaign against French nuclear testing. One crew member named Fernando Pereira, a Dutch photographer, lost his life in the bombing. He was on board the vessel at the time of the explosion.
What were the consequences of the Rainbow Warrior bombing?
The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior had significant political and legal repercussions. It strained diplomatic relations between New Zealand and France, leading to an international outcry and condemnation. Two French agents were arrested and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The incident also brought attention to Greenpeace's cause and their environmental activism on a global scale.