So far 35 households in Groningen have signed up for specialist psychiatric help because of the earthquakes in Groningen, caused by the ground settling after natural gas extraction from deep under the province.

A special committee was set up to look at the most severe problems caused by the quakes. Of the 35 cases so far, 15 are so serious that an immediate solution is needed, the commission’s chairman Jos Aartsen told broadcaster Nos.

An additional package of measures has been drawn up for people whose homes have been seriously damaged by the quakes – in some cases so badly that they have been declared uninhabitable – or cannot be sold.

Each case is being looked at on an individual basis, Aartsen told Nos. ‘We will be flexible so we will simply apply the rules strictly.’

More details will be published later on Tuesday, Nos said.