Italian divers have discovered a Roman-era shipwreck off the coast of Sicily, believed to be more than 2,000 years old and laden with hundreds of well-preserved amphorae used to transport goods such as wine and olive oil. Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described it as one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years, and specialist police divers have been sent to protect the site while experts investigate its cargo and origins.

The wreck was found around 46m (150ft) deep near Mazara del Vallo after a tip-off from local fishermen, with free-diver Giacomo De Mola stumbling upon it while scanning the seabed. Measuring 21m by 6m, the vessel dates from the second or first century BC, according to Italy's culture ministry. Similar ancient wrecks have previously turned up in the Mediterranean, including another Roman-era vessel found near Rome in 2023 and a Greek ship dating back more than 2,400 years discovered off Bulgaria in 2018.