Groningen earthquake damages Drenthe sand sculptures

Groningen has once again fallen victim to earthquakes. This time two earthquakes in two days. The first earthquake happened at around 17:05 yesterday afternoon, while the Tweede Kamer (lower house of parliament) were debating the gas extraction in Groningen. According to Blik op nieuws, the earthquake occured at the exact same time that Minister Henk Kamp (Economic Affairs) was giving his speech. The earthquake measured 1.9 on the Richter scale and the epicenter was at Kropswolde. More than 40 damage claims have already been received after the earthquake, RTL Nieuws reports. Inspectors are investigating the extent of the damage today. The earthquake also damaged several sand sculptures in the SculpturePark in Zuidlaren, Drenthe. Multiple objects will have to be repaired or replaced, Het Parool reports. An risk expert from NAM viewed the damaged sculptures and concluded that there is no present risk to visitors. The exhibition remains open. According to the KNMI, the second earthquake occurred at 05:09 this morning. Its epicenter was in Steendam and it had a magnitude of 0.8 on the Richter scale.