Berlin aquarium bursts, releasing floods and fishes

• Germany’s MAINZ A large aquarium ruptured in Berlin on Friday.
• It spewed water, glass, and fish into the city.
• Police say 1 million liters of water spilled out of the aquarium.

Germany’s MAINZ A large aquarium ruptured in Berlin on Friday, spewing water, glass, and fish into the city.

Police say 1 million liters of water spilled out of the aquarium, damaging a hotel, cafes, and a chocolate store.

Berlin’s fire department tweeted that two persons were injured by exploding glass and debris, but none were trapped. Authorities said the fish died.

The AquaDom, within the Radisson hotel near Berlin’s Museum Island, was the world’s largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium. Sea Life Berlin said it housed 1,500 tropical fish.

An elevator ride through Berlin’s 82-foot-tall tropical tank took 10 minutes.

“Glass is everywhere. Everything is flooded, a German legislator said. “It looks war-torn.”

Israeli tourist Iva Yudinski: “I never dreamed this would happen.”

“Yesterday, we were stunned by its beauty, and now it’s gone,” she said. Everything’s a disaster.”

Concerned about structural damage, emergency workers urged 350 hotel guests to leave.

Berlin’s police department tweeted that heated buses were provided for hotel guests as more than 100 emergency workers arrived. Later, it added, “there is no proof of a criminal violation in connection with the incomprehensible and monumental event at #AquaDom in Berlin #Mitte.”

Some speculate that Berlin’s 14-degree nighttime temperatures produced cracks in the acrylic tank, which burst under the weight of the water.

The timing prevented much more injuries, according to Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey. All 1,500 fish died, she said.

In a tweet, she called the lack of significant human casualties a “blessing in disguise,” angering animal rights advocates mourning the loss of 80 tropical fish species.

Sea Life Berlin announced that its hotel-based aquarium would be closed until further notice.

Radisson emailed loyalty club members that the hotel will be closed till further notice.

Leila Sackur reported from London; Andy Eckardt from Mainz.

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