In Minas Gerais, Brazil, a quest for a buried treasure beneath a home ended tragically for a 71-year-old man.
João Pimenta died on Thursday, January 4, 2023, after falling into a 130-foot hole he had dug under his kitchen floor.
This roughly year-long digging project, initiated by a dream about hidden gold, ended in a fatal plunge.
Pimenta’s journey began with what he claimed was a prophetic dream, leading him to believe in the existence of gold beneath his property.
This belief set him on the path of digging an extensive hole, which eventually reached the depth equivalent to a 12-story building and was about 35 inches wide.
Neighbors, including Arnaldo da Silva, were aware of Pimenta’s endeavor. Da Silva shared how he advised Pimenta not to undertake dangerous excavations. Despite these warnings, Pimenta was determined to continue, even contemplating the use of dynamite to remove a large obstructing rock.
The search for the supposed treasure was not a solo effort. Pimenta had hired people to assist with the digging, paying up to $500 as the hole grew deeper. Images of the vast pit were shared across Brazilian media, highlighting the scale of Pimenta’s undertaking.
The incident reached a tragic conclusion on Thursday afternoon when Pimenta lost his balance and fell into the hole.
Responding to the scene, local police found Pimenta with critical injuries, including head trauma, broken legs, and other fractures. He was pronounced dead at a medical center, where his body was taken for an autopsy.
