News report | 15-01-2026 | 16:15

His Majesty the King will visit the village of Zeerijp in Groningen on Tuesday afternoon, January 27, together with National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen. Zeerijp was hit by an earthquake measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale in November 2025, making it the third strongest earthquake ever recorded in Groningen.

The National Ombudsman assists residents of Groningen and North Drenthe who encounter difficulties in their contact with the government regarding damage claims or the reinforcement of their homes. In the community center, the King will speak with complaint investigators from the National Ombudsman about the challenges they face in their work. Afterwards, he will speak with several affected residents who have approached the National Ombudsman.

Damage handling and reinforcement of houses is the responsibility of the government. The Groningen Mining Damage Institute (IMG) handles damage caused by gas extraction in Groningen and gas storage in Norg. The National Coordinator Groningen (NCG) is responsible for reinforcing homes and buildings. For many residents, the handling is still too slow and cumbersome, leading to decreased trust in the government and the future. The National Ombudsman handles questions and complaints from citizens about the consequences of gas extraction and also conducts research on this.

The Kings visit is a follow-up to previous visits to the province of Groningen, where the effects of gas extraction on residents of earthquake-affected areas were central. These visits have taken place since 2013 in Maarhuizen, Ten Boer, Loppersum, Middelstum, Overschild and Steendam, Siddeburen and Overschild, Appingedam, at the Zernike University Campus in Groningen, Leermens, Uithuizermeeden, Middelstum and in Dorkwerd. On February 1, 2024, the King together with State Secretary Vijlbrief made a working visit.

RVD, no. 14