Greenpeace rammed by Spanish navy

MADRID, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace said one of its protesters suffered a broken leg after its boat was rammed by a Spanish navy boat.

Greenpeace is in waters off the coast of Morocco protesting against Spanish energy company Repsol. The advocacy group said the company has a permit to operate in Spanish waters near the Canary Islands despite risks to the ecology and tourist economy. "Greenpeace Spain sided with island locals in opposing this drilling, but their warnings about safety and legal issues have so far been ignored by the Spanish government," the advocacy group said in a statement Saturday.

Greenpeace posted a video on its website showing what it says are Spanish navy boats ramming one of its own, dispatched from protest vessel Arctic Sunrise.

A 23-year-old Italian woman was knocked overboard during the incident and suffered a broken leg. Another protester suffered minor cuts and was treated on scene.

Repsol is in the region conducting seismic surveys to get a better understanding of the reserve potential in the region. In a statement regarding its operations, it says it's campaign is proceeding with the Canary Island ecology in mind. "Before undertaking the geological and geophysical analysis required in exploration campaigns, Repsol evaluates all the potential impacts and takes the necessary steps to minimize interaction with the environment," it said.

Greenpeace said this is the first time it's launched a major protest operation from Arctic Sunrise since last year's incident in Russian waters.

Russian authorities had seized Arctic Sunrise and held 30 activists in custody for their campaign against energy companies working in arctic Russian waters.