Construction Workers Unearth $10 Million Gold Fortune in Belgian Cellar

​DENDERMONDE, Belgium – What began as a routine plumbing job in the historic town of Dendermonde has transformed into a high-stakes investigation after construction workers discovered a hidden treasure trove worth an estimated €9 million ($10.4 million).

​The massive cache, consisting of at least 49 one-kilogram gold bars and over 4,000 gold coins, was found bricked into the walls of a cellar at a building in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde. The property is currently owned by CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, a local social welfare organization.

​The discovery was made by a construction crew from the firm De Brand, who were conducting groundworks to install a new sewer pipe. Kobe, an 18-year-old worker on the site, told Belgian news outlet VRT NWS that the team’s initial skepticism quickly vanished when they realized the scale of the haul.

​”At first, I thought they were €1 coins,” Kobe said. “But then we saw gold nuggets and bars… we realized pretty quickly that it was the real thing.”

​The workers immediately contacted local authorities rather than attempting to keep the fortune. “We never thought about keeping our find to ourselves,” Kobe added. “If it’s drug money, you could get into serious trouble.”

ADVERTISEMENT

​Police have since secured the gold in a high-security federal vault while the East Flanders prosecutor’s office launches an investigation into its origins and ownership. While the exact history of the stash remains unknown, local historian and former mayor Piet Buyse has suggested the gold may have ties to the Van Assche family, who were prominent local brewers in the early 1900s.

​For the current building owners, the discovery could be life-changing for the community. Geert Hillaert of CAW Oost-Vlaanderen noted that should the organization be declared the legal owner, the funds would be directed toward expanding vital shelters for the region’s homeless population.

​In the meantime, the local police department has issued a stern warning to would-be treasure hunters: stay away. “Know that this is a construction site, fenced off, and with several dangerous pits,” authorities posted on social media. “Everything is safely gone… so definitely do not take any unreasonable risks”.