Rainbow Warrior bombing

The Rainbow Warrior bombing was a significant and controversial event that occurred on July 10, 1985, in Auckland, New Zealand….

By Staff , in Historical Events in New Zealand , at June 25, 2024 Tags: 1985, new zealand, terrorism

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The Rainbow Warrior bombing was a significant and controversial event that occurred on July 10, 1985, in Auckland, New Zealand. The Rainbow Warrior was a flagship of the environmental group Greenpeace, used by the organization to protest nuclear testing in the Pacific. Here are the key details about the incident:

The Attack: The Rainbow Warrior was docked at Marsden Wharf in Auckland when two explosions ripped through the ship’s hull. The first bomb was intended to incapacitate the ship to prevent it from interfering with French nuclear tests in the Pacific, and the second, more powerful explosion was designed to sink it.

Casualties: The bombing tragically resulted in the death of Fernando Pereira, a Portuguese-Dutch photographer who was on board the ship. He drowned when the second explosion sank the ship while he was attempting to retrieve his equipment.

Perpetrators: The attackers were agents of the French foreign intelligence service, the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE). Initially, the French government denied any involvement, but the truth emerged after two agents, Captain Dominique Prieur and Commander Alain Mafart, were arrested by New Zealand police. They had posed as Swiss tourists.

Political Repercussions: The incident caused a major diplomatic row between New Zealand and France. New Zealand is a country with strong anti-nuclear sentiments, and the act of sabotage on its territory by a supposed ally was met with outrage. The attack strained relations between the countries for many years.

Legal Outcome: After pleading guilty to manslaughter and wilful damage, Prieur and Mafart were sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, following negotiations involving the United Nations, they were transferred to French custody in 1986 and served less than three years on the French military base Hao Atoll.

Aftermath and Legacy: The bombing had significant consequences for Greenpeace, raising its profile internationally and increasing public awareness and activism against nuclear testing. The original Rainbow Warrior was later replaced by another ship, which continued to serve as a symbol of environmental activism.