German police said on Friday that a massive aquarium in the heart of Berlin exploded, causing widespread destruction in and around the Sea Life tourist attraction.
As 1 million liters of water gushed out of the 82-foot-tall aquarium shortly before 6 a.m., glass and other debris were cleared from the building, which also contains a hotel and eateries.
The Berlin fire department reported that two persons sustained minor injuries, and rescue dogs were prepared to investigate the structure for anyone who may be trapped under debris.
There was concern that overnight freezing conditions of -14 degrees Fahrenheit produced a break in the tank, which then detonated due to the weight of the water. The police stated that they were still investigating the incident’s cause, but there was no proof that it was the result of an attack.
A firefighter walks in front of rubble following the explosion of a large aquarium at the Seal Life Aquarium in Berlin, Germany, on Friday, December 16, 2022.
Witness Gwendolin Szyszkowitz told the German television channel n-tv that she initially assumed a bomb had burst after hearing a loud blast.
The aquarium boasts the largest circular tank in the world, according to its operators, and had 1,500 tropical fish of 80 different kinds prior to the event. The aquarium, which was last renovated in 2020, is a popular Berlin tourist attraction.
The 10-minute elevator trip through the aquarium was one of the attraction’s highlights.
»A massive tank containing 1,500 tropical fish collapses«