Hailstorm devastates San Benedetto del Tronto, causing €5 million damage to car dealership and prompting mass claims

On 21 July a record‑breaking hailstorm struck the Marche region, with San Benedetto del Tronto hit hardest. The Emilcar dealership reported around €5 million in losses as roughly a thousand parked cars were shattered, many beyond repair. Owner Emilio Scartozzi said some vehicles will be scrapped, others sent abroad for parts, and a few may be restored.

The municipal authorities opened a damage‑reporting portal, setting a deadline of 31 July for claims. By early August, about 1 500 applications had been filed in San Benedetto alone, with additional hundreds reported in nearby towns such as Grottammare, Monteprandone, Acquaviva, and Cossignano. Reported damages include broken windows, roof tiles, solar panels and agricultural losses. Local mayors hope the aggregated data will prompt the regional government and the national administration to allocate funds for compensation.