3.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Eleveld: residents report damage and concerns
Residents in Aa en Hunze, Midden-Drenthe, and Assen were jolted awake last night by a 3.0 magnitude earthquake near Eleveld. Local mayors acknowledge fears and urge those with damage to come forward as authorities push for faster, fairer compensation processes.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 3.0 |
| Location | Near Eleveld, municipality of Aa en Hunze (border with Assen) |
| Affected Municipalities | Aa en Hunze, Midden-Drenthe, Assen |
| Date | March 14, 2026 |
| Damage Reporting | Mining Damage Committee (via schadedoormijnbouw.nl) |
| Immediate Safety Concerns | Contact IMG or call 0800 4444 111 |
| Mayors Involved | Hiemstra (Aa en Hunze), Zwiers (Midden-Drenthe), Out (Assen) |
The municipalities of Aa en Hunze, Midden-Drenthe, and Assen are responsible for local crisis response and resident welfare, including coordinating damage assessments and liaising with national bodies like the Mining Damage Committee. The Dutch government oversees broader policy reforms to improve earthquake damage handling, particularly in regions affected by mining activities.
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Municipalities shocked by earthquake near Eleveld
An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 occurred near Eleveld last night. The tremor took place in the municipality of Aa en Hunze, on the border with Assen. The quake was felt over a large area. Mayors Hiemstra, Zwiers and Out stated: "Many residents were woken up in shock last night. It is dreadful that another earthquake has occurred, and an even powerful one at that. We fully understand that this raises questions and concerns among residents."
Damage handling
Recently, the Dutch government also acknowledged that the handling of damage resulting from previous earthquakes needs to be improved. The recent quake makes this issue even more urgent. Residents who have suffered damage to their homes can report it to the Mining Damage Committee. The municipalities of Aa en Hunze, Midden-Drenthe and Assen are committed to a damage-handling process that is fair, straightforward and humane. The municipalities are in discussions with the ministry and other stakeholders and hope for swift clarity on this matter.
Hiemstra, Zwiers and Out: "In the coming days, it is important to engage with residents to get an initial picture of the extent of the damage and the area affected by the quake."
Immediate safety concerns
Those who are immediately concerned about the safety of their home can contact the IMG or call 0800 4444 111.