43 Belgians win over 80 million euros in EuroMillions in Hoogstraten

A remarkable windfall has struck Hoogstraten, Belgium, where 43 individuals have collectively won a staggering €80,220,498 in the EuroMillions lottery. The winning ticket was validated at a local daily newspaper shop, bringing immense excitement to the community. The winners range in age from 29 to 79 years old.

Denis Aerts, the owner of the shop, described his disbelief upon realizing the magnitude of the win. "I was stunned when I saw how many customers had won," he stated. "I immediately called Brussels, and it turned out to be true: we simply had the winning ticket."

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I was stunned when I saw how many customers had won. I immediately called Brussels, and it turned out to be true: we simply had the winning ticket.

The winners participated as a group, using a "quick pick" method where a computer randomly selects the numbers. Aerts mentioned that many of the winners are regular customers. While the identities of the winners are being kept private, Aerts noted that the "Kempenaars" (people from the Kempen region) are known for their level-headedness. "We haven't heard any crazy stories yet, but we Kempenaars will certainly handle this soberly," he said.

The win has also boosted business for Aerts' shop, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary. "Normally, about 40 people participate in the draw, but now there are already 80," he observed, calling the win a "nice culmination" for the shop's anniversary.

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We haven't heard any crazy stories yet, but we Kempenaars will certainly handle this soberly.