Radisson Blu: Berlin’s giant AquaDom aquarium with 1,500 fish explodes

Friday, December 16, 2022

A giant aquarium, known as the world’s largest suspended aquarium, containing a million litres of water in the lobby of the Radisson Blu in Germany’s Berlin has burst, flooding the hotel and nearby streets.

The “AquaDom” – home to 1,500 tropical fish – is 14m high (46 ft) and was described as the largest free-standing cylindrical aquarium in the world. AquaDom was opened in December 2003 and was given the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium.

The police said there had been “incredible maritime damage” and two people were injured by glass shards. The images on social media showed huge amounts of damage in the hotel’s foyer.

The debris from the break was also scattered in the street in front of the building, which was closed due to flooding.

The guests have been moved out of the hotel. The aquarium was modernised two years ago, and there is a clear-walled lift built inside for use by visitors. Some of the rooms in the hotel are advertised as having views of it.

Berlin’s fire brigade said more than 100 firefighters were in attendance and it was not clear what caused the break. It said it used rescue dogs to check the area inside the hotel for anyone potentially injured, with nobody found.

The police said “massive amounts” of water was flowing into nearby streets and people in the area should drive cautiously. A police source told local media there is no evidence the break was the result of a targeted attack. Berlin’s public transport authority said Karl-Liebknecht street outside the hotel had been closed off due to “an extreme amount of water on the road”. Trams service in the area was also stopped.

The videos posted to social media early on Friday showed extensive damage to the aquarium – with the tank appearing to be empty and water running out of pipes into the foyer. The aquarium contained more than 100 different species of fish. On its website on Friday it said the attraction was temporarily closed and asked visitors to reschedule their tickets.

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