Students in Rome demand re-opening of schools

Italian schools reopened in mid-September after a six-month stop - the longest in Europe - but face-to-face lessons in high schools across the country were gradually suspended again a month later due to a new surge in cases.

Students from over 100 schools in the capital took part in sit-in lessons outside.

"Today we are on strike in order to call for the necessary conditions for us to return to school. Not being at school I feel is a bit of a failure," student Ilaria Rinattier said during a demonstration in Rome outside his Cavour school under the shadow of the Colosseum.

"It is true we are young, but it is also true we will be the next electoral voters, workers and the citizens of tomorrow," she added.