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The Day French Secret Agents Bombed a Greenpeace Ship
When a government responds to peaceful protest with deadly force.
In 1985, French secret service agents planted two bombs and sank the Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior.
Docked in Auckland, New Zealand, Greenpeace was preparing for a peaceful protest against the French nuclear testing in the South Pacific.
One crew member died.
It was an attack on the sovereignty of New Zealand from an ally, and the world stood by and watched.
The story could be the plot of a James Bond film — here’s how it went down.
The Night of the Bombing
It is the 10th of July, 1985. UK-based Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior, is moored in Auckland, New Zealand.
They are getting ready to confront the French nuclear testing in the nearby Moruroa Atoll in French Polynesia — recently declared a nuclear-free zone.
It’s close to midnight. Many of the crew have retired to bed, including the captain. A few others are left chatting, sharing a couple of beers.
23:38, and the lights go out suddenly. Crew hear the crash of breaking glass, followed by the roar of water.
