Construction workers digging a sewer route in the Belgian town of Sint-Gillis-Waas have uncovered a gold hoard worth about €9 million ($10 million), including 49 gold bars, coins and other gold items hidden beneath a building wall, Belgian media reported.
Belgian media reported on Friday and Saturday, August 15, 2026, that the discovery was made at a property that once belonged to a family who operated a brewery and is now owned by a charitable organization.
Kobi, an 18-year-old construction worker involved in the discovery, said the workers initially thought they had found one-euro coins. Their impression changed when they uncovered a gold bar and realized the potential value of what was buried beneath the wall.
The workers notified police and officials responsible for the property after discovering the hoard. The gold was subsequently examined and moved to a secure government facility in Brussels, according to the reports.
Prosecutors are investigating the origin of the gold and trying to establish who owned it. Authorities are also examining whether the hoard could be connected to theft or other criminal activity.
The discovery could now lead to a lengthy ownership process. Under Belgian law, potential owners have five years to come forward and provide evidence establishing their legal claim to the treasure.
Authorities have not yet determined who ultimately owns the gold or when it was hidden. The investigation is expected to focus on the history of the property and its former occupants as officials attempt to determine how such a valuable collection came to be concealed there.