| Nazi treasure train: Polish culture minister '99 per cent' sure mystery train exists |
Poland's deputy culture minister says he has seen a ground-penetrating radar image of the alleged Nazi treasure train that set off a gold rush, adding that he is 99 per cent sure it exists.
Local media has for days been abuzz with old lore of trains full of gold and jewels stolen by the Nazis, after two men — a German and a Pole — claimed to have found an armoured train car in the south-western city of Walbrzych.
"I'm more than 99 per cent sure such a train exists, but the nature of its contents is unverifiable at the moment," deputy culture minister Piotr Zuchowski said.
"I saw a good quality, ground-penetrating radar image showing what the train looks like," he said, adding that he could make out platforms and cannons in the photo.
Mr Zuchowski, who is also the national heritage conservation officer, refused to reveal the train's exact location.
"My understanding is that no one has accessed it since the [Second World] War," he said.
Someone who decades ago took part in hiding the train, which is over 100 metres in length, passed along the information by word-of-mouth, Mr Zuchowski said, but did not specify to whom.
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"And this person shared the information on their deathbed along with a sketch of where it could be found," he said without revealing the person's identity.
Mr Zuchowski confirmed that the German and Pole, who wish to remain anonymous, have the right to claim a finder's fee of 10 per cent of the value of the train's contents.
"The fact that this train is armoured suggests there could be valuable objects inside," he said, including artwork, archival documents or treasures.
But he warned the train could also be booby-trapped.
Rumours of two special Nazi trains that disappeared in the spring of 1945 have circulated for years, capturing the imagination of countless treasure hunters.
The lore has its basis in the existence of secret underground passages near Walbrzych — including around the massive Ksiaz Castle — that Nazi Germany ordered to be built and where legend has it the Third Reich stashed valuables.
On Friday, dozens of curious onlookers could be seen loitering around a train track slope in Walbrzych where the train may be hidden.
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