Glass Berlin Aquarium Shatters

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

The massive glass structure, containing approximately 1,500 fish with over 100 different species shattered, releasing over 200,000 gallons of water into the atrium of a Berlin hotel. 

 The incident occurred at The Radisson Collection Hotel, which suffered severe damage from the water, according to the Berlin Fire Brigade. Two people have been injured by the glass shards, but no casualties were reported. 

A statement released by Mayor Franziska Giffey reported that all the marine life was presumed dead, but some volunteers remain hopeful that a few animals survived. According to NPR, a few fish were taken to another tank, but that tank lacked power as it was damaged during the collapse. The cold weather also made rescuing them difficult as many fish froze before help arrived. 

The incident occurred at 5:45 am local time, something that the Mayor considered lucky, as the vicinity was fairly empty, and thus reduced injuries as the water rushed out into the street.

The hotel has been shut down as a result of the destruction, and the guests are being relocated. People staying at the hotel reported that the collapse made a loud rumbling and crashing noise. 

The aquarium, which was 16 meters tall, had only recently reopened this summer, after undergoing a renovation in 2019. The cause of its failure is unknown and being investigated, but there is currently no evidence of a crime.