image copyright Reuters/Michele Tantussi
A huge aquarium containing 1 million liters of water exploded in the lobby of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin, flooding the hotel and nearby streets.
The Aqua Dome, which houses 1,500 tropical fish, is 14 meters high and has been described as the largest free-standing cylindrical aquarium in the world.
Two people were injured by the shattered glass.
Police said “incredible” damage was caused by the huge basin explosion. Video showed an empty cistern, water pouring into the hallway, and debris strewn everywhere.
Hotel guests were evacuated after the incident at 05:50 (04:50 GMT).
The blast left a huge pile of debris outside a hotel in front of what used to be the front doors, which are now overhanging the street by the force of the blast.
Paul Maletzky was in his room on the fourth floor with his girlfriend.
image copyright EVN / Bezirksamt Mitte
He described how he was awakened by the loud bang and shaking of the building. When he looked into the hallway, he saw water flowing across it. The police later escorted them and other guests out of the hotel.
Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffe went to the hotel to see the damage and described the huge glass cistern explosion as a tsunami.
She was relieved that the incident occurred early in the morning, saying that after an hour or so, the hotel lobby and the street outside would be crowded with guests and passers-by, many of them children.
The aquarium was updated two years ago. There is a transparent glass elevator built inside for visitors to use. Some rooms in the hotel overlook the huge aquarium.
The Berlin fire brigade said more than 100 firefighters were present and it was not clear what caused the explosion.
image copyright Alamy
The fire brigade said it used rescue dogs to check the area inside the hotel for anyone who might have been injured, and no one was found.
Police said “enormous amounts” of water was pouring into nearby streets and people in the area should drive carefully.
A police source told local media that there is no evidence that the blast was the result of a targeted attack.
Berlin’s public transport authority said the Karl Liebknecht boulevard outside the hotel was closed due to the “enormous amount of water on the road”. Tram service in the area has also been suspended.
The huge aquarium contained more than 100 different species of fish.
On Friday, its website said it was temporarily closed and asked visitors to reschedule their tickets.
The Aquadome opened in December 2003 and entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest cylindrical aquarium in the world.
Reports at the time of its construction said it cost around €12.8m (£11.2m).