Ten backhoe loaders were made available immediately to the Nepalese Army and are now at work in the areas worst hit by the disaster which has left more than 5,000 people dead and 10,000 people injured.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said, “It is shocking to see the devastation caused by this earthquake and the resulting widespread damage and destruction. On behalf of JCB, I express my heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by this natural disaster. JCB will continue to help the Nepalese Government is every possible way.”

The JCB backhoe loaders have been deployed to help ground relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake, which occurred on Saturday and measured 7.8 magnitude on the Richter Scale. In the coming weeks and months, the donated machines will be used in reconstruction efforts.

Prime minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, has told Reuters the death toll could reach 10,000, with information on casualties and damage from far-flung villages and towns yet to come in.

The Department of Foreign Affairs estimates that around 150 Irish citizens were in the region as of last Saturday, the majority of whom have successfully been contacted.