Contractors in Flanders uncovered a hidden cache of gold worth about €9m (£7.6m) while installing sewage pipes at a property owned by the charity CAW Oost-Vlaanderen. The discovery — gold bars and coins revealed behind sealed cellar walls — was reported by VRT and translated by the BBC. Police removed the stash to a secure location and warned the public against searching for more items, while the charity expressed hope the find might help those it serves.
€9M Gold Hoard Discovered During Belgian Sewage Renovation — Charity Property at Center of Find
Contractors installing new sewage pipes at a property in Flanders, Belgium, made a startling discovery: a hidden cache of gold valued at about €9 million (£7.6 million). The find, reported by the BBC from coverage by Belgian public broadcaster VRT, included both gold bars and coins concealed behind sealed cellar walls.
How the Treasure Was Found
Workers broke through blocked cellar walls while carrying out renovations and uncovered the hoard. An 18-year-old labourer named Kobe told VRT the team's initial reaction was "disbelief, amazement." He said:
"At first I thought they were €1 coins. But then we also saw a gold nugget lying there. That's when we realized it was something bigger."
Ownership and Next Steps
Questions immediately arose about who should keep the treasure. The property is owned by the local charity CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, but the contractors who uncovered the gold could also have a legal claim. The construction team reported the discovery to police, stating there was too much gold to remove without it being noticed and that taking it would amount to theft.
Authorities confirmed that the entire cache has been removed from the property and secured in a safe location. Police warned the public against searching the area for more items and said they hope the proceeds are handled so they can reach the "right place" and potentially benefit people in need.
Reactions
Geert Hillaert, director of CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, said he was "surprised and amazed" and expressed hope the discovery could help the charity meet its substantial daily needs providing welfare support in Dendermonde. Kobe said it would be "wonderful" to receive a finder's fee, while site manager Mario — a construction veteran of 33 years — called it the first time he'd ever experienced anything like it.
Note: Reporting so far comes from VRT and was translated in coverage by the BBC. Authorities are managing the investigation and any legal determination about ownership.
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