Construction workers uncovered $10.4 million in gold and coins beneath a former brewery in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, Belgium, sparking questions about the treasure's origin and what will happen if no one claims it.
The discovery occurred while a crew led by project manager Mario was laying sewerage pipe beneath the building, now owned by a local welfare organization serving the Flemish community near Brussels. When workers removed a section of foundation to make room for new infrastructure, gold glinted in the dirt.
"Our first reaction was actually disbelief, surprise," said 18-year-old Kobe, one of the workers, told VRT news. "Of course, we didn't expect to find gold."
Mario described the moment as surreal. "I took the gold in my hands. We also continued to dig up new coins and bars. Only then did what we had found really dawn," he recalled.
The workers immediately contacted local police, who cataloged the entire haul and transferred it to a high-security federal vault. No gold left the site improperly.
Under Belgian law, the rightful owner has five years to claim the gold. If no one comes forward, the gold's fate remains uncertain.
Mario said he never considered keeping the treasure. "It's about so many coins and bars, that almost wouldn't be possible. Besides, it would also be theft," he said. Kobe expressed hope for a finder's fee, a reasonable expectation in such discoveries.
The welfare organization's director told the BBC he hopes the discovery could help address "the enormous need we experience daily" in the community.
Local police have warned treasure hunters not to trespass at the site, noting it remains dangerous with several unfilled pits. The gold has been completely removed from the location.
Police concluded their statement with optimism: "We hope this treasure ends up in the right hands and that this unexpected discovery positively changes many lives."
