Builders unearth €9m gold stash sealed in walls of Belgian property
Builders renovating a property in Belgium have uncovered a hidden collection of gold bars and coins estimated to be worth about €9 million (£7.6 million).
The discovery was made earlier this week in East Flanders when workers were drilling through the cellar to install new sewage pipes. The stash was reportedly concealed within the walls of the building.
The find has triggered questions over who could legally claim the valuable hoard, with both the construction workers who discovered it and the charity that owns the property potentially entitled to a share.
Police have since launched an investigation and moved the gold to a secure location. They have also warned members of the public against visiting the property in search of additional treasure.
One of the workers, 18-year-old Kobe, said the discovery initially appeared to be ordinary coins. However, the workers soon realised they had found something much more valuable after spotting a gold nugget among the items.
The workers immediately contacted police, saying keeping the treasure for themselves was not an option.
The property is owned by CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, a charity that provides welfare services in Dendermonde. Its director, Geert Hillaert, expressed surprise at the discovery and said he hoped any proceeds could eventually support the organisation’s work.
Under Belgian law, the rightful owner has five years to come forward and claim the treasure. Authorities have yet to determine who originally owned the gold.
If no owner is identified and the stash is not connected to criminal activity, Belgian civil law provides that the treasure may be divided between the person who found it and the owner of the property.
For now, the builders and the charity face a lengthy wait to discover whether the mysterious €9 million hoard will become theirs.
Source: BBC
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