It has been revealed that in the Dutch province of Groningen, where small-scale earthquakes are constantly experienced due to natural gas exploration in the North Sea, an average of 16 people die prematurely every year due to problems related to the fear of earthquakes and tension.
It was stated that causes such as fear of earthquakes and tension, cardiovascular diseases, psychological problems and suicide increase the risk of premature death.
Due to the ongoing natural gas exploration activities in the North Sea, many earthquakes with a magnitude of 1.9 to 4 occur in and around Groningen.
Minor earthquakes cause severe damage to buildings and infrastructure, as settlements are built on soft ground, some of which are below sea level.
According to research by the University of Groningen, all residents who died prematurely had one or more damage to their homes.
It was emphasized that this tension causes serious damage to human health and tens of people die every year due to this damage.
Scientists previously estimated that an average of 5 residents per year die from fear and tension of earthquakes.
Research by the University of Groningen revealed that this number averages 16 per year.
For years, the University has been studying how earthquakes and the damage they have caused have affected people in the Groningen region.
“All those who died prematurely had one or more damage to their homes,” former research leader Tom Postmes told public broadcaster NOS. “Complaints are sometimes so severe that it seriously harms human health.”
According to studies, thousands of people in the region suffer from stress-related health problems.
As a result of severe stress and fear, people develop anxiety disorder or depression. It also brings with it physical complaints such as headaches, insomnia, palpitations and stomach problems.
According to the researchers, such complaints further increase the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases or suicide.
According to researcher Tom Postmes, many people were desperate when new damage occurred while repairing their damaged home. Many people left their homeland and moved to other areas.
The Dutch researcher thinks that the number of deaths and health problems due to earthquake fear and tension is more than is actually known.
Theodor Kockelkoren from the State Mines Inspection Agency (SodM) said they take the research results seriously.
Pointing to the impact of the long-standing concern about security risks on human health, Kockelkoren said, “This can only be resolved by phasing out gas production, quickly retrofitting homes and ensuring adequate compensation claims.”
The Dutch government decided to reduce the natural gas exploration and give earthquake compensation to the people of the region.
The government has allocated a surplus of 1.5 billion euroSAN to renovate buildings and infrastructure around Groningen and to compensate for the damage to the public.
It was adopted to pay compensation of up to 30 thousand euros to those whose homes or workplaces were damaged due to earthquakes.
In addition to compensation, experts also recommend providing psychological support to the people of the region who have health problems due to the fear and stress of earthquakes.