Construction workers laying a new sewer beneath a former brewery in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, Belgium, uncovered a hidden trove of gold estimated to be worth more than $10 million, prompting police to secure the bars and coins in a high-security federal vault.
An ordinary day of groundwork turned extraordinary in Belgium this week when a crew laying a new drainage system beneath a former brewery stumbled upon a massive underground cache of precious metal. Police in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, a Flemish community outside Brussels, confirmed that workers unearthed a large quantity of gold bars and coins during excavation.
The total value of the discovery is estimated at approximately 9 million euros, or more than $10 million, according to Belgian media outlet VRT. Photographs released by the Lokale Politie Dendermonde show 49 gold bars alongside a bucket filled with gold coins recovered from the site, as well as officers documenting the discovery.
Workers’ Initial Disbelief and the Discovery Process
The discovery unfolded as the construction crew was removing a piece of foundation to lay down pipe for the sewerage system. An 18-year-old worker on the site, named Kobe, told VRT news that his initial reaction was pure amazement and that they certainly hadn’t expected to find gold.
“Our first reaction was actually disbelief, surprise. Of course, we didn’t expect to find gold.”
Kobe, 18-year-old construction worker, via Fox News
Kobe admitted that at first glance, he thought the metal pieces were ordinary 1 Euro coins before realizing the crew had uncovered something far more valuable. He added that he still hoped for a finder’s fee, noting, That would be nice.
Mario, a project leader, quickly realized the gravity of the moment when his crew members raised the alarm.
“They shouted, ‘We found gold.'”
Mario, project leader, via Fox News
Mario rushed over to inspect the site. I went to look and took the gold in my hands,
he told the outlet of his workers. We also continued to dig up new coins and bars. Only then did what we had found really dawn.
Recognizing the immense value of the cache, Mario called his boss and immediately notified local law enforcement. Police officers arrived at the scene, cataloged the entire collection, and transferred the bars and coins to a high-security federal government vault.
Legal Ownership and the Investigation by the East Flanders Public Prosecutor
While the crew members handled the discovery with honesty, the question of who ultimately owns the stash remains open. Under Belgian law, the construction workers do not get to keep the gold; instead, any 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 that the sheer scale of the treasure made such a thought impossible. It’s about so many coins and bars, that almost wouldn’t be possible,
he noted. Besides, it would also be theft.
The East Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an active investigation to trace the origin of the gold and determine its legal owner. Prosecutor Hanne Ollevier acknowledged the mystery surrounding the find to newspaper De Standaard, stating, At this moment, it is not known where that gold comes from, nor to whom it legally belongs.
Property Ownership and Public Safety Warnings
The land where the gold was uncovered is owned by CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, a Belgian organization that provides assistance to people in need. The director of the organization told the BBC that he hoped the gold could be used to help with the enormous need we experience daily.
Meanwhile, local authorities have issued strict warnings to treasure hunters against visiting the site. Police emphasized that the area is a fenced-off construction site containing several dangerous pits,
and reiterated that all of the discovered gold has been removed. Police added, “We hope this treasure ends up in the right hands and that this unexpected discovery positively changes many lives!”