2 Injured, 350 Evacuated... Cause Unknown
1 Million Liters of Water Overflow onto Road, Chaos Ensues
The scene of the road in front of a hotel in Berlin, Germany, where an aquarium burst on the 16th (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A massive aquarium installed in a 5-star hotel in downtown Berlin, the capital of Germany, burst, injuring two people and causing guests to evacuate in chaos.
According to foreign media including the AP News, the accident occurred at around 5:45 a.m. local time on the 16th. The police and fire authorities said that 1 million liters of saltwater inside the aquarium spilled out, injuring two people and damaging part of the building housing the hotel, a cafe, and a chocolate shop. Guests who were at the hotel at the time testified, "I thought there was an earthquake," and "I heard an incredibly loud noise."
Additionally, about 1,500 tropical fish of around 100 species living in the aquarium perished. The aquarium, named 'Aquadome,' stands 25 meters tall, and the hotel has promoted it as the "world's largest cylindrical tank" standing without a pedestal.
Immediately after the accident, the aquarium water spilled onto the street, turning the road in front of the hotel into a chaotic scene filled with debris. Upon the accident, all 350 hotel guests immediately packed their belongings and evacuated to a shelter. The hotel also sent emails to its members informing them that the hotel operations would be suspended until further notice.
About 100 police officers and firefighters were dispatched to the scene to control nearby roads and search the accident site. The police stated that there is no evidence yet that the incident was caused by an attack. The Berlin fire department also deployed search and rescue dogs to thoroughly inspect the first floor of the building but said the cause of the aquarium explosion remains unclear.
Some speculate that the acrylic water tank cracked due to the low temperature dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius overnight, and the weight of the water caused it to explode.
The Aquadome, a major attraction in Berlin, was last renovated in 2020. Riding an elevator through the inside of the aquarium for 10 minutes was a popular tourist course.
Franziska Giffey, Mayor of Berlin, said, "It was really fortunate that the accident happened early in the morning despite the tremendous destruction," adding, "If the aquarium had burst an hour later, there would have been massive casualties." The hotel where the accident occurred is only about 130 meters from the Berlin Cathedral, a representative landmark of Berlin, and also has a shopping mall.
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