  We present the XMM-Newton observation of the merging system IRAS 19254-7245,
also known as The Superantennae, whose southern nucleus is classified as a
Seyfert 2 galaxy. The XMM-Newton data have allowed us to perform a detailed
X-ray imaging and spectral analysis of this system. We clearly detect, for the
first time in this system, a strong EW ~ 1.4 keV Fe emission line at 6.49+/-0.1
keV (rest-frame). The X-ray spectrum requires a soft thermal component (kT~0.9
keV; L(0.5-2) ~ 4E41 cgs), likely associated with the starburst, and a hard
power-law continuum above 2 keV (observed L(2-10) ~ 4E42 cgs). We confirm the
flatness of this latter component, already noted in previous ASCA data. This
flatness, together with the detection of the strong Fe-Kalpha line and other
broad band indicators, suggest the presence of a Compton-thick AGN with
intrinsic luminosity > 1E44 cgs. We show that a Compton-thick model can
perfectly reproduce the X-ray spectral properties of this object.
