They were digging for pipes when they uncovered something extraordinary

NewsBelgium construction workers made a discovery that could change livesGold bars and coins recovered from a renovation site in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, Belgium, are displayed after construction workers uncovered a hidden hoard valued at approximately 9 million euros during excavation work. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)APBy Chris Pugh, cleveland.comAdvance Local Express DeskWhat began as an ordinary construction project in Belgium turned into an extraordinary discovery when workers renovating a property in the Flemish town of Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde uncovered a hidden cache of gold worth an estimated 9 million euros, or more than $10 million. Authorities have since taken possession of the treasure while investigators work to determine its origins and legal ownership, VRT News reported. The gold was discovered earlier this week during renovation work on a building owned by CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, a social welfare organization in East Flanders. Construction workers were carrying out excavation work related to a sewer installation when they stumbled upon coins, nuggets and gold bars hidden inside a cellar area of the property, according to The Guardian.Among the workers was an 18-year-old summer employee who initially believed the objects emerging from the rubble were ordinary euro coins. As additional pieces were uncovered, including gold bars and other valuables, the crew realized they had found something far more significant than spare change, Yahoo! said. Workers alerted company officials, the building owner and local police. Site managers said keeping any portion of the find was never seriously considered because of both the value of the hoard and the legal issues it would create. Authorities quickly moved the collection to a secure location for safekeeping. Belgian authorities have launched an investigation to determine who originally owned the treasure and whether it may be connected to any illegal activity. Prosecutors say it remains unknown how the gold ended up hidden inside the property or whether it was placed there decades ago. The discovery has sparked widespread curiosity, drawing would-be treasure hunters to the construction site. Police have urged members of the public to stay away, saying the area has already been thoroughly searched and remains an active demolition zone. The legal future of the treasure remains uncertain. Under Belgian law, hidden valuables that are not claimed within a specified period may eventually be divided between the finder and the property owner, provided investigators determine the assets are not connected to criminal activity. For now, both the construction crew and the social welfare organization face a wait as officials sort through the mystery surrounding the multimillion-dollar find. Chris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.