Quake: Rescue system 'withstood impact' says minister

(ANSA) - Rome, August 26 - The emergency rescue system "withstood" the test after an August 24 earthquake in central Italy, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Friday. "Let's avoid hypocrisy - we're a seismic country," he said.
    "There will be scrutiny to verify the responsibilities, we're all at work each in his own place. But the rescue system has withstood the impact". The rescue operations "worked to perfection and made a lay miracle happen" in saving 215 lives, Alfano said, calling this "an incredible result".
    The minister spoke from rescue operations base camp in the Marche village of Arquata del Tronto, where he visited fire fighters and other law enforcement troops deployed in the wake of the disaster that has killed hundreds.
    The fire brigade, the Civil Service Department, the Army, the police, and volunteers from all over Italy have been working around the clock to extract victims from the rubble.