238 people have been rescued from under debris after the Italian earthquake, Italian Ansa news agency reports, citing the country’s Civil Defense Department.

The Minister of the Interior, Angelino Alfano, called the happening a miracle.

“The rescue technology worked perfectly in Marche and Lazio regions and it worked a miracle,” stated Alfano, who visited the mobile camp of firefighters-rescuers.

“The people were able to work a miracle. This is an incredible result, a moment of light in this endless sea of darkness,” he added.  

Slightly over 2,000 firefighters and 400 units of technology are working on the ground, head of the National Fire Department Bruno Frattazi said, adding that they can be joined by a support team if necessary.