Summary Workers discovered large quantities of gold hidden inside the walls of the building’s basement
(Web Desk) - Construction workers in Belgium have made a remarkable discovery after uncovering gold bars and coins worth an estimated €9 million ($10.4 million) while carrying out excavation work for a new sewage system.
The treasure was found in the eastern Flemish city of Dendermonde during renovation work at a building owned by CAW East Flanders, a local welfare organisation. Workers reportedly discovered large quantities of gold hidden inside the walls of the building’s basement and immediately alerted police.
Police later released photographs showing around 50 gold bars along with piles of gold coins.
One of the workers said the discovery initially left the team in disbelief. The workers had been digging to install pipes for the sewage system and had no expectation of finding anything valuable at the site.
Authorities said the gold has been catalogued and transferred to a highly secure vault operated by federal government departments.
Police have also warned treasure hunters and curious members of the public to stay away from the fenced-off construction site. In a light-hearted Facebook post, police said several treasure seekers appeared interested in returning to the location after news of the discovery spread.
The authorities said there was “really no point” in visiting the site, despite the extraordinary find.
It remains unclear who legally owns the treasure or whether any of the workers or other individuals could eventually be allowed to keep it.
Police said they hoped the unexpected fortune would ultimately end up “in the right hands.”
