A 3.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Groningen province on early Friday morning, though no injuries were reported.

According to Dutch media, it was one of the strongest quakes recorded in the region in years and was felt from the German border to Drenthe, with the epicentre near Zeerijp in the north of the country. A smaller 2.0 aftershock followed around 6.30am.

The quake is linked to long-term ground settling after decades of natural gas extraction, even though the Groningen gas field was shut down in 2023.

Authorities reported no injuries, but there were some damage reports, and residents described loud bangs, shaking homes and moments of fear. Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the quake "deeply distressing", warning that such tremors may continue for years.