Kobe (18) hopes for reward after finding million-euro treasure during holiday job
The Belgian teenager who, together with his colleagues, found a gold treasure in East Flanders on Tuesday hopes for a finder's reward. "That would be nice," says the 18-year-old to the Flemish VRT.
Kobe works in construction during the summer holidays. He and his colleagues were working this week on demolition work in an old house in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, Belgium. The day started normally but became one to never forget.
The workers had to remove a piece of foundation in the basement. "When we did that, we suddenly saw something lying there."
"Our first reaction was actually disbelief, amazement," Kobe tells. He and his colleagues had of course not expected to find gold, the 18-year-old explains. "At first I thought they were 1-euro coins. But then we also saw a gold bar. Then we knew it was something bigger."
9 million euros
The treasure consisted of at least 40 gold bars and 4000 coins and has an estimated value of 9 million euros. The gold was in a chest that was bricked into a basement wall of the property.
Foreman Mario was also very surprised when his workers suddenly shouted that they had found gold. "I went to look and took the gold in my hands. We kept digging up new coins and bars. Only then did it really sink in what we had found. That was a crazy feeling," he tells VRT.
The construction workers immediately called their boss who said the client and the police had to be called right away. A brewer lived in the house from 1900, but the property is now owned by a welfare organization.
Owner unknown
Mario has worked in construction for 33 years but has never experienced anything like this. "I don't think it will happen again."
The construction workers did briefly consider keeping it themselves. "There are so many coins and bars, that would be almost impossible," Mario says. "9 million euros, you just can't hide that." Moreover, it would also be theft, the foreman realizes.
The gold has been taken by the police to a safe place while it is being investigated where the gold comes from and to whom it belongs.
If the welfare organization is designated as the owner, the proceeds will go to extra shelter places for homeless people in the province, CAW East Flanders says.
Gold seekers
Several gold seekers have tried to visit the construction site hoping for another treasure. "A golden tip: This really makes no sense," warns the Dendermonde police on Facebook. "Know that this is a construction site, fenced off and with several dangerous pits."
The police also repeat that all the gold has already been taken. "So definitely do not take any irresponsible risks!"