A Massive Aquarium Holding 1,500 Tropical Fish Bursts in Berlin
The enormous cylindrical aquarium was a wonder, the centerpiece of a popular Berlin hotel. But in the early hours of Friday morning, it burst — and soon afterward, Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said all of the roughly 1,500 fish the aquarium had contained were believed to be dead. Reports later emerged that workers might have been able to rescue some of the animals.
As reported by NPR, the AquaDom aquarium was touted as the largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium in the world. The aquarium dominated the large atrium of the Radisson Collection Hotel — where the mass of water blew parts of the hotel’s façade into the road and left the building badly damaged, the Berlin fire brigade said.
The catastrophic rupture of the AquaDom aquarium took place around 5:45 a.m. local time, sending 1 million liters (more than a quarter of a million gallons) of salt water — and fish — pouring into the hotel’s atrium and lobby and out into the street, as dozens of emergency response workers raced to the scene.
Berlin Police say two people were hurt, the result of glass shards. They also say there are no signs of a crime.
The building’s owner says the AquaDom aquarium was completely destroyed, and that the cause is not yet known. The hotel is now closed because of the damage, Radisson says, adding that all guests are being relocated.
People who were staying in the hotel report being awoken by a loud crash or rumbling noise, only to realize that the immense fish tank was suddenly gone. Witnesses say the calamity left dead fish, ruined furniture and debris strewn around the hotel’s atrium, according to Deutsche Welle.