Sewage Pipe Project Reveals $10 Million in Gold
BBC reported on a Belgian home renovation in Flanders where drilling to install new sewage pipes led to quite a surprise: €9m (£7.6m) worth of gold. The stash included both gold bars and coins, per their translation of news reported by the Belgian public news firm, VRT.
After breaking through sealed cellar walls, construction workers uncovered the treasure trove. An eighteen-year-old worker, Kobe, told VRT that “Our first reaction was actually disbelief, amazement.”
Kobe continued the narrative, saying that “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.”
The question, of course, is who gets to keep the gold. Both the builders and the property owners (a local charity called CAW Oost-Vlaanderen) may have claims.
Protecting the Gold
Construction workers reported the find to the police. They both noted that there was too much gold to hide or take, adding that it would be theft.
Police announced that all gold has been removed from the home and taken to a secure location. They also warned people against searching the area for more treasure.
Distribution of the Treasure
Local police hope the gold reaches the “right place” in a way that could change people’s lives. The charity that owns the property provides welfare support to people in Dendermonde.
Charity director, Geert Hillaert, admitted his “surprise and amazement” at the find. He also hopes that the treasure can help the charity meet its enormous daily needs.
Finder’s Fees
Kobe admits that it would be wonderful to get a finder’s fee. Meanwhile, the site manager (a man named Mario) chimed in.
After working in construction for thirty-three years, he said, “It is the first time I have experienced something like this. I don’t think it will happen again.”
