Construction crew uncovers €9 million gold cache in Belgian building renovation
Workers renovating a building in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde discovered a gold hoard valued at about €9 million, which has been handed over to authorities.
Workers renovating a structure in the Flemish town of Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, about 40 minutes from Brussels, uncovered a large quantity of gold while excavating a foundation for a sewer pipe. The discovery was made when a crew member noticed an object that turned out to be a gold nugget, prompting further digging that revealed numerous gold bars and coins.
The haul, estimated at roughly €9 million (about $10.4 million), was taken into police custody. The metal is now held by the regional welfare organization CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, which says the assets may be used for charitable purposes. Police have warned the public to stay away from the demolition site, citing safety concerns.
Local officials noted that under Belgian law the rightful owner has five years to claim the treasure; if no claim is made, the find may be shared between the finder and the property owner, provided the gold is not linked to criminal activity. A site manager who participated in the find expressed hope that a finder’s fee might be awarded, while a historian suggested the gold could belong to a local brewing family, though no ownership has been confirmed.