In a remarkable discovery this week, construction workers in Belgium unearthed $10.4 million worth of gold during the construction of a new sewer beneath a former brewery site. Local authorities swiftly confirmed the astounding find.
Police officials from Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, a quaint Flemish town on the outskirts of Brussels, reported that the workers immediately informed them about the treasure trove. The officers meticulously cataloged the gold before storing it securely in a federally managed high-security vault.
Among the workers was 18-year-old Kobe, who recounted his initial surprise to VRT news. “At first glance, I thought they were just 1 Euro coins,” he admitted, still digesting the magnitude of their discovery.
Kobe described the collective shock shared by the crew, mentioning that their initial reaction was one of disbelief and amazement. He explained that they stumbled upon the gold while removing part of the building’s foundation to install new sewer pipes.
Belgium’s construction crew’s unexpected find this week involved unearthing $10.4 million in gold as they worked on a new sewer beneath an old brewery location—a discovery that astonished local authorities. (Lokale Politie Dendermonde/Facebook)
“When we did that, we suddenly saw something lying around,” he said.
Project leader Mario said it was a “crazy feeling.”
“They shouted, ‘We found gold,'” he told the outlet of his workers. “I went to look and took the gold in my hands. We also continued to dig up new coins and bars. Only then did what we had found really dawn.”
He called his boss and then the police.
Police in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, a Flemish community outside of Brussels, said the workers contacted them immediately about the find, which officers cataloged, then placed in a “high-security federal government vault.” (Lokale Politie Dendermonde/Facebook)
The construction workers don’t actually get to keep the gold. Under Belgian law, the rightful owner has the right to claim the gold within five years.
When asked if it had crossed his mind to keep it, Mario told VRT, “It’s about so many coins and bars, that almost wouldn’t be possible. Besides, it would also be theft.”
Kobe said he still hoped for a finder’s fee. “That would be nice.”
Police catalog the gold found in Belgium. (Lokale Politie Dendermonde/Facebook)
The building is owned by an organization that provides welfare support to the Flemish community.
The director of the organization said he hoped the gold could be used to help with the “enormous need we experience daily,” according to the BBC.
The local police warned treasure hunters against visiting the site, saying it’s a fenced-off construction site with “several dangerous pits” and that the gold has all been removed.
Police added, “We hope this treasure ends up in the right hands and that this unexpected discovery positively changes many lives!”