71-year-old man named Joao Pimenta da Silva lost his life after falling down a 130-foot hole he had meticulously dug beneath his kitchen floor.
The unfortunate incident occurred as Joao was attempting to uncover the gold he firmly believed was buried there.
Joao’s obsession with the notion of hidden gold began after a dream where he envisioned himself sitting on a fortune.
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According to neighbours, he had been digging the hole for over a year, even hiring people to assist with the excavation.
The costs escalated as the hole deepened, reaching approximately £80 for anyone entering to help remove earth.
Reports suggest Joao encountered challenges during the digging process, including a large stone that proved difficult to remove.
Rumors circulated that he had considered using dynamite. Despite warnings from concerned neighbours about the dangers of his mission, Joao persisted in his pursuit.
The tragic incident unfolded on January 5 when Joao fell approximately 130 feet from a wooden platform near the top of the hole.
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Firefighters received a distress call around 1:30 pm but were unable to save his life. The hole, around 35 inches in diameter and equivalent to approximately 12 floors deep, had been a perilous undertaking.
Joao’s body, discovered with head injuries, broken legs, and other fractures, was recovered by emergency services.
