Belgian workers find $10m gold stash, outlets report

Construction workers found a large quantity of gold during renovation work at a building in Dendermonde, Belgium, police said.

The discovery came to light on Tuesday in the east Flemish town. Police said workers alerted them after finding the gold and published photographs showing around 50 gold bars and piles of gold coins.

Belgian news outlets reported that bars and coins worth an estimated nine million euros, or $10.4 million, were found bricked into cellar walls during renovation of a house belonging to local charity CAW East-Flanders.

One worker interviewed by Belgian broadcaster VRT said the crew reacted with disbelief and amazement after finding the gold while carrying out groundwork to lay a pipe for the sewerage system.

Police said the gold was inventoried and secured as quickly as possible in a high-security vault belonging to federal government services.

The local police department warned treasure hunters not to visit the fenced-off construction site, saying it was pointless to look for more. It was not clear who was considered the legal owner of the trove or whether anyone would get to keep it.