WALBRZYCH, Poland — Polish military personnel on Friday began inspecting and photographing the site where authorities suspect a Nazi-era train, possibly carrying guns and looted jewels, may be buried.
Soldiers in uniforms identifying them as members of a de-mining unit walked around the area, talked to local officials and took pictures, a Reuters photographer said. There was no sign they had started digging.
Authorities of Poland’s Lower Silesia region said at a conference Friday the results of Friday’s reconnaissance will be presented to the general command of the armed forces, which will within two weeks take a decision regarding further potential action.
According to local folklore, the train entered a tunnel in 1945 and never emerged.
Last week, a deputy culture minister said he was almost certain the so-called “gold train” had been located, but his ministry backtracked, saying it had no knowledge on the issue.
Two amateur treasure hunters, a German and a Pole, said in August they had found the train, and said it should be exhumed and displayed as a tourist attraction.
The World Jewish Congress said any valuables that had been stolen from Jews murdered by the Nazis must be returned to their rightful owners.