Three minor earthquakes hit the province of Groningen on Monday, as the ground continues to settle following the extraction of billions of cubic metres of natural gas.

Two of the quakes, measuring 2.2 and 2.5 on the Richter scale, were centred on the village of Zeerijp, and the third hit Appingedam, some 10 kilometres away.

As yet, it is unclear if the quakes caused any damage.

The production of Groningen gas is currently being wound down because of the problems and from 2023 the reserves will only be accessed in cases of emergency. More than 1,000 quakes of up to 3.6 on the Richter scale have hit the province since 1986.

80% of the homes in this village are being demolished

So far, 126,356 reports of damage caused by the quakes have been made to an official government institute set up to process claims. Up to now, €1.15bn has been allocated to home owners and others to pay for damage.