In brief
During a renovation in east Flanders, a team of builders uncovered a hidden cache of gold bars and coins, valued at €9 million, buried within the walls of a charity’s property. The find was immediately reported to police, who seized the loot and sealed the site to prevent further treasure hunting. The local charity, CAW Oost‑Vlaanderen, now has five years to claim the hoard under Belgian law, while the builders themselves cannot keep it. If nobody claims the treasure, Belgian law allows the finders and property owner to split the loot, provided it isn’t linked to criminal activity. The discovery has already shifted a local police force’s social media profile to a gold coin photo, hoping the money will aid community welfare.
During a renovation in east Flanders, a team of builders discovered a hidden cache of gold bars and coins sealed inside the walls of a charity’s property. The hoard is estimated to be worth €9 million (£7.6 million).
The find came to light when workers were drilling to lay new sewage pipes. Local media reported that the construction crew uncovered the fortune while working on the building’s foundations.
Police were notified immediately and seized the gold, declaring it off-limits to the public to prevent accidental claims of a treasure hunt. The police now hold the loot in a secure location.
The building’s owner, CAW Oost‑Vlaanderen, a welfare charity in Dendermonde, believes the treasure could fund its community services. The charity’s director, Geert Hillaert, expressed surprise at the discovery and hope that the gold will support the charity’s work.
The local police have requested that no one visit the construction site looking for treasure; the police force’s Facebook image has been replaced with a gold coin, reflecting the significance of the find.
Under Belgian treasure law, the rightful owner has five years to claim the loot. Until a claim is made, civil law says the finder and the property’s owner may share the treasure if it is not linked to criminal activity.
Both builders and the charity now await potential claims, with the chance that the treasure could be split if nobody steps forward—or, if no one claims the hoard, it may be "silently golden".
Source: BBC News
