Hyundai Heavy Industries, in collaboration with the construction machinery manufacturers Italian dealer Hitex, supplied two machines, for four months free of charge, to help with the clearing and reconstruction in the areas affected by the earthquake in central Italy.

It was Wednesday August 24, 2016, when a violent earthquake shook central Italy and claimed 297 lives. The epicentre was located near Accumoli, 75 km southeast of Perugia and 45 km north of L’Aquila. The tremors began at around 3.30am on Wednesday morning, followed by a devastating 6.2 magnitude earthquake. Since then several earthquakes have followed, resulting in even more casualties and damage.

Following the earthquake Hyundai Heavy Industries Europe, with the backing of local Hyundai dealer Hitex, took the decision to offer assistance with the clean-up and reconstruction of the affected areas by offering two machines to the Il Corpo Nazionale dei Vigile del Fuoco - a R60CR-9A crawler excavator and a HL757-9A wheeled loader for four-months at no cost.

The machines were delivered to the headquarters of the Fire Brigade of Cittareale (Rieti), a town of medieval origins dating back to 1261 AD on 27th October 2016. The town was home to a wealth of historic buildings which were almost completely destroyed or seriously damaged by the earthquake.

The City vowed not to give up and launched a vigorous reconstruction plan. On November 8th 2016 - the Mayor Francesco Nelli - officially opened a new earthquake resistant school - and there are many more ongoing initiatives to help the citizens of Cittareale to return to normality as soon as possible. The two machines supplied by Hyundai and Hitex have made a worthy contribution to this operation which will continue. Hyundai Heavy Industries managing director, Alain Worp said, “Hyundai and Hitex were honoured to be able to contribute to the clean-up and reconstruction of this Italian city by providing two machines. This earthquake has devastated a community - we are proud to have been able to help in a small way - and watch with great admiration as these people rebuild their lives and homes.”