An 18-year-old seasonal worker in Belgium uncovered a hidden stash of gold bars and rare coins valued at approximately €9 million (around Rs 98 crore) during a routine sewer excavation project. The discovery occurred in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, located northwest of Brussels, while a crew was replacing underground pipes. The student worker, Kobe, noticed what initially appeared to be small currency coins embedded near a bricked-in cellar wall. Further inspection revealed multiple gold coins, nuggets, and numbered bullion bars packaged inside a sealed bag. Key Details of the Discovery Location: Beneath the historic Brouwershuis, a late 19th-century villa built in 1899 for brewery owner Theophilus Van Assche. Current Property Status: The listed historic site, which operated as a brewery until 1970, is undergoing extensive renovation by the social welfare group CAW Oost-Vlaanderen to build offices and residential units. Security & Investigation: Law enforcement secured the site and transferred the bullion to a secure facility in Brussels. Prosecutors are assessing whether the gold is tied to any historical crime or theft. Legal Ownership and Next Steps Under Belgian law, discovered treasure must be held for five years to allow potential legal heirs or rightful owners to step forward. Possible claimants include descendants of the original property owners, the construction firm, and the welfare organization that owns the site. While the workers turned the entire find over to local authorities, they may be eligible for a official finder’s reward pending legal resolution. Post navigation Can BRICS Challenge the US Dollar? International Law and India’s Role Explained
