(Gray News) – A group of construction workers in Belgium made a surprising discovery while laying new sewage pipes in a building’s cellar.
Local media reported that the group found a stash of gold bars and coins sealed in the cellar’s wall. According to the BBC, the stash is estimated to be worth 9 million euros.
Kobe, an 18-year-old working with the crew as a summer job, told the Belgian public newscast VRT that they didn’t believe it was real gold at first.
According to the BBC, the stash is estimated to be worth 9 million euros.(Lokale Politie Dendermonde via Facebook)
“At first I thought they were €1 coins. But then we also saw a gold nugget lying there. That’s when we realised it was something bigger,” he said.
The crew reported the finding to police, saying that they never really thought about keeping it to themselves.
“There are so many coins and bars – it would be almost impossible,” the site manager said to VRT.
Police posted photos of the gold bars and coins on Facebook. They said the gold has been moved to a secure location and advised people not to come to the property in search of more.
In the post, they also said they hope the stash finds itself in the “right place” and changes people’s lives in a “positive way.”
According to the BBC, the stash is estimated to be worth 9 million euros.(Lokale Politie Dendermonde via Facebook)
According to the BBC, the rightful owner of the treasure has five years to claim it under Belgian law. If, after five years, no one comes forward to claim it, then it is split between the finders and the property owner.
The Brussels Times reported that the building serves as a center of general welfare support for the town of Dendermonde. The BBC said its director, Geert Hillaert, was surprised and amazed by the discovery. He said he hopes that the treasure could be used to help fund their work.
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