American team to help investigate massive aquarium break in Germany
After one of the world's largest aquariums burst in Germany, the American company that helped manufacture the tank said it will send a team of investigators to examine how the enclosure could have ruptured.
Reynolds Polymer Technology, the company that manufactured and installed the aquarium nearly 20 years ago, told The Associated Press in a statement, "At this point, it is too early to determine the factor or factors that would produce such a failure." The company added that it was "deeply saddened by the animals and aquatic life lost."
The 46-foot-high AquaDom aquarium was the centerpiece of the atrium in the Radisson Collection hotel in central Berlin. Without warning, the water tank suffered a catastrophic failure on Friday morning, bursting open and sending copious amounts of water and debris spilling into the hotel lobby and onto the street.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey, around 264,000 gallons of water spilled from the aquarium, and almost all of the 1,500 tropical fish within were killed. City officials also said two people were injured by broken glass, though they are likely to make a full recovery.
While fire officials said the building was not deemed to be in danger, Raddison Hotels said they had immediately closed the hotel and would be relocating the guests.
"We offer our full support to the injured guest and our colleague and wish for a speedy recovery," Raddison said in a statement. "Members of our leadership team are on site, and, together with the authorities, are looking into the cause of the incident."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Penile fracture risk higher over Christmas
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Confused man's front lawn is stolen
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published