Nuclear protest ship seized
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Papeete (Reuter) - Greenpeace vowed to keep trying to hinder France's nuclear testing programme despite the seizure of its fourth protest vessel off the Mururoa atoll blast site on Tuesday. The yacht Vega was boarded by commandos in the exclusion zone around the atoll days before France was expected to carry out another underground explosion.
"We have a few creative projects up our sleeve. One in particular is extremely interesting," said Lynette Thorstensen of Greenpeace. "Our spirits are not dampened."
The Vega breached the 12-mile exclusion zone around Mururoa with her owner, David McTaggart, founder of Greenpeace, at the helm and another activist and 21 Polynesians on board, Ms Thorstensen said. The Polynesians wanted to "reclaim their ancestral lands" and deliver to authorities on the atoll a protest letter addressed to the French government.
"For over 30 years the French government has seriously harmed our children, islands and oceans," a statement quoted the letter as saying. "We respectfully request that you immediately stop further testing of nuclear weapons on our property and return Mururoa and Fangataufa to us."
Fangataufa atoll, 20 miles from Mururoa, is expected to be the site of the next test, thought to be the biggest of the seven or eight planned before May.
Greenpeace vessels confiscated around Mururoa and Fangataufa include the group's two biggest ships, Rainbow Warrior II and Greenpeace, a helicopter and at least 12 inflatable dinghies.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments