Construction Workers Discover Gold Worth Nine Million Euros in Belgium

Construction workers in the Belgian city of Dendermonde discovered a trove of gold estimated to be worth nine million euros. The find, which includes approximately 50 gold bars and numerous gold coins, was discovered during renovation work on a building. Specifically, workers were laying sewage pipes and digging trenches in a bricked in cellar wall when they stumbled upon the hoard. One worker, an 18 year old student named Kobe, noted that he initially thought he had found one euro coins before realizing it was a gold bar.

The property is currently owned by CAW Oost Vlaanderen, a social welfare organization. The building was originally a brewery built in the late 19th century for owner Theophilus Van Assche. Geert Hillaert, a representative of the welfare organization, expressed surprise and hope that the treasure might eventually support the organization's work.

Police have seized the gold and moved it to a secure facility in Brussels. The East Flanders public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation to determine if the gold is stolen property or linked to criminal activity. Under Belgian law, the original owner has five years to claim the treasure. If no owner is found, the find may be split between the finders and the property owner, provided it is not tied to a crime.

Local police issued a warning to the public to stay away from the construction site after some treasure hunters attempted to visit the location. The police used a lighthearted tone on social media, changing their Facebook profile picture to a gold coin and advising that visiting the site is absolutely useless.