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Workers discover $10 million in gold bars and coins hidden in Belgian house walls
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Workers discover $10 million in gold bars and coins hidden in Belgian house walls

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Construction workers renovating a house in eastern Flanders, Belgium, discovered a hidden treasure of gold bars and coins worth approximately $10.4 million.
  • The discovery occurred when workers were drilling to install new sewer pipes in the basement of the property.
  • Authorities are investigating the origin of the gold, and both the construction workers and the local charity that owns the house may have claims to the treasure.

Workers renovating a house in eastern Flanders, Belgium, stumbled upon a fortune in gold bars and coins, estimated to be worth around $10.4 million, concealed within the basement walls. The discovery was made earlier this week as the crew drilled to install new sewer pipes. Among the workers was 18-year-old Kobe, who described the find as "incredulity and astonishment." He initially mistook the items for euro coins before realizing the true nature of the hoard.

Our first reaction was of incredulity and astonishment.

— KobeThe 18-year-old worker described his initial reaction to discovering the gold.

"Nine million euros, that simply cannot be hidden," said Mario, the site supervisor, who, along with Kobe, alerted the police. He emphasized that keeping the treasure would be theft. The property currently belongs to CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, a social assistance organization. Its director, Geert Hillaert, expressed surprise and hope that the funds could support the charity's work.

At first I thought they were euro coins. But then we also saw a gold nugget there. That's when we realized it was something bigger.

— KobeThe worker explained his realization that the find was more significant than he initially thought.

Local police have secured the gold and warned the public against visiting the site in search of more treasure, stating the area has been thoroughly searched. Belgian law allows a five-year period for a legitimate owner to claim the treasure. If no owner comes forward, the law dictates that a hidden treasure found on another person's property is divided between the finder and the property owner, provided no links to criminal activity are found.

Nine million euros, that simply cannot be hidden.

— MarioThe site supervisor commented on the impossibility of concealing such a large sum.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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