Syrian Authorities Impose Curfew Amid Rumor of 'Gold Cave' in Neighborhood

Syrian officials are trying to control crowds gathering around a home excavation site in southern Syria after rumors spread on social media claiming workers discovered a cave filled with gold. Local authorities say there's no evidence of any gold discovery and are warning people to stay away from the area.

The situation started when someone was digging a basement for their house in Al-Hara city, located in northern Daraa countryside. During the excavation, workers found a small opening that led to speculation about hidden treasure.

Wael Al-Zamel, director of the Sanamein area, issued a statement Saturday night addressing the social media buzz. "What appeared so far is just a small opening during excavation work, and its nature is still unknown," he said. "No sighting or evidence of gold has been recorded at the site."

But the rumors were enough to draw large crowds. Security forces had to deploy around the area to prevent stampedes as more people showed up hoping to catch a glimpse of potential treasure. Syrian TV reported that internal security forces struggled to disperse the gatherings and had to fire warning shots. One person was reportedly injured, and authorities imposed a curfew in Al-Hara city.

The government is waiting for a specialized team from the Directorate of Antiquities to arrive and conduct a technical examination to determine exactly what the opening is. Al-Zamel urged citizens not to get caught up in rumors and called on media outlets to verify information before reporting.

This isn't the first time gold rumors have stirred up excitement in Syria. The local news network "Daraa 24" noted that gold was actually found in this same area in previous years, but the former regime took control of it at the time.

Last August, similar rumors spread about gold discoveries in Al-Bouhammad village in Raqqa province in northeastern Syria. That turned out to be pyrite - commonly known as "fool's gold" - not actual gold.

For Syrian families dealing with years of economic hardship and war, even the possibility of finding treasure is enough to draw crowds. But authorities are more concerned about public safety than gold rush fever, especially given how quickly these situations can turn dangerous when large numbers of people gather in small spaces.