DATELINE: 28 November 2002

SICILIAN DIVERS CLAIM SUNKEN ISLAND FOR ITALY

A submerged volcanic island close to Tunisia has had the Italian flag placed upon it by a team of divers from Sicily - just in case it resurfaces.
The island, which forms to apex of a submerged volcano, last emerged in 1831 and caused a diplomatic row between Spain, Britain and Sicily. The British claimed it and called it Graham Island, while Sicily's King Ferdinand named the island Ferdinandea. While squabbles and diplomatic wrangling continued over the 5km wide island, it graciously disappeared back below the sea 6 months later.
Recent seismic activity in the area, including an eruption of Mount Etna, has encouraged scientists to believe that the island may make another appearance soon. And this time the Sicilians are not taking any chances by getting their territorial claim in first.