Workers renovating a charity-owned building in Flanders discovered a hidden hoard of gold worth about €9m (£7.6m) while installing sewage pipes. The stash of bars and coins was found behind sealed cellar walls and reported to police, who removed the items to a secure location. Ownership is under investigation; the charity and the construction crew may both have claims while authorities determine next steps.
Workers Uncover €9m Gold Hoard While Installing Sewage Pipes in Belgian Charity Building
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Renovation crews in Flanders, Belgium, made a startling discovery while drilling to install new sewage pipes: a hidden cache of gold worth about €9 million (£7.6 million), officials told the BBC and Belgian public broadcaster VRT. The trove, reportedly containing both gold bars and coins, was found behind sealed cellar walls in a property owned by the local charity CAW Oost-Vlaanderen.
Discovery and Reactions
The stash was revealed after workers broke through previously sealed cellar sections. An 18-year-old worker named Kobe described the moment to VRT:
"Our first reaction was actually disbelief, amazement. 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."
Site manager Mario, a construction veteran of 33 years, told reporters this was the first time he'd encountered anything like it.
Police Response and Ownership Questions
The workers reported the find to police, saying there was too much gold to hide or remove undetected and that attempting to do so would be theft. Authorities removed the recovered gold from the property and transferred it to a secure location while they investigate ownership and next steps. Police also warned members of the public not to search the site for additional items.
Because the building belongs to CAW Oost-Vlaanderen — a charity that provides welfare services in Dendermonde — both the organisation and the construction crew could potentially assert claims. Charity director Geert Hillaert said he was filled with "surprise and amazement" and expressed hope that any proceeds might help the charity meet its substantial daily needs. The workers have said they would welcome a finder's fee if one is awarded.
What Happens Next
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine legal ownership and how the assets should be handled. Legal procedures in such cases typically involve police inventory, possible forensic checks, and court decisions if competing claims arise. For now, the recovered gold remains in secure custody while officials and stakeholders sort out the next steps.
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