Belgian Workers Uncover $9 Million Gold Hoard in Basement Wall
Construction workers in Belgium stumbled upon a hidden treasure worth approximately €9 million (R$54.3 million) while renovating a property owned by a social welfare organization. The discovery has sparked a legal debate over ownership rights, with both the workers and the charity potentially entitled to a share if no original owner comes forward within five years.
Construction workers in Belgium made an unexpected discovery this week when they uncovered a trove of gold bars and coins worth about €9 million (R$54.3 million) hidden in the basement of a property they were renovating. ## The Discovery The workers, including an 18-year-old summer hire, were installing new sewage pipes in the foundation of a building in Flanders when they stumbled upon the hidden treasure. The property belongs to CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, a social welfare organization based in Dendermonde, a city near Brussels. The workers immediately reported the find to the police and turned over the gold, stating they had no intention of keeping it. ## Legal Implications Under Belgian law, the rightful owner of the treasure has five years to claim it. If no one comes forward, the country’s Civil Code states that the treasure should be split between the finders and the property owner-provided the gold is not linked to criminal activity. The prosecutor handling the case has said there is no information yet about the original owner. ## Police Response Authorities have urged the public not to search the property for additional valuables, confirming that the residence has been thoroughly searched and all recovered gold has been secured. The outcome of the investigation and the legal process will determine whether the workers and the charity receive a share of the fortune.
