Dramatic video footage has been released showing the Spanish navy ram into Greenpeace boats whilst they were protesting off the coast of the Canary Islands, an incident which left one activist with a broken leg, and another with minor cuts.

Greenpeace were protesting against Spanish energy company Repsol's plan to drill for oil off the coast of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, when a navy rhib ( rigid-hulled inflatable boat) appears to have deliberately collided with their vessels.

Greenpeace spokesman Julio Barea said afterwards:

"It was disproportionate, we didn't expect that from state forces, but I repeat, it shows how the government in supporting the interests of a multinational like Repsol and disregards the activist groups in the Canary Islands, environmentalists, the government of the Canaries and the Spanish society in general."

The government of Spain defended the actions of the Spanish navy.

Related