Italy's special airforce flies over Rome on Liberation Day

Each year on April 25, as the nation marks the end of the Nazi occupation, the air force team known as 'Frecce Tricolori' flies over the Italian capital to celebrate the victory of the Italian Resistance.

Rome: Italy's special acrobatic air force unit flew over Rome on Saturday to celebrate Liberation Day, spreading the colours of the Italian flag across the sky.

Each year on April 25, as the nation marks the end of the Nazi occupation, the air force team known as "Frecce Tricolori" flies over the Italian capital to celebrate the victory of the Italian Resistance.

Pilots boarded the planes wearing face masks to protect ground crew, before replacing their masks with helmets.

The air display is usually followed by a parade of all the military forces in Piazza Venezia in Rome, in the presence of Italy's highest civil and military officials.

But this year's parade was cancelled because of the virus.

Instead, Italy's President Sergio Mattarella paid homage to Resistance fighters, standing alone in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

(AP)