Massive Aquarium In Berlin Hotel Lobby Explodes

Massive Aquarium In Berlin Hotel Lobby Explodes

53

Ugh, the poor fish…

Fish tank in Radisson Berlin lobby bursts

The 427-room Radisson Collection Hotel Berlin has quite a unique feature in its lobby, in the form of the AquaDom. This is a massive aquarium in the lobby that’s 82 feet (25 meters) high, and contains 265,000 gallons (one million liters) of water.

This isn’t just a cool feature for hotel guests, but it’s intended to be an attraction for outsiders as well. Tickets can be purchased for the AquaDom, as there’s a glass elevator that goes through the center of the fish tank, offering some pretty awesome views.

Well, at least that was the case until today, as this aquarium has burst in the early morning hours on Friday, flooding the hotel and nearby streets. Not only is this awful for the 1,500 tropical fish from over 100 different species that are now in the lobby and streets, but two people were also injured by glass shards.

As you’d expect, the hotel has been shut down, and guests have been moved elsewhere. The street outside the hotel even closed due to flooding. Over 100 firefighters were called to the scene, given the scale of this incident.

AquaDom first opened in 2003, but was modernized a few years ago. It holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium.

The cause of this is unknown

As of now it’s not known how the aquarium burst, though I’m sure an investigation will be done into that. Authorities don’t have a reason (as of now) to believe there was any targeted attack. I guess if it’s any consolation, thank goodness there weren’t more structural building issues as a result of this. given the size of the hotel.

Bottom line

The world’s largest cylindrical aquarium, located inside the lobby of the Radisson Collection Hotel Berlin, has exploded earlier today. One million liters of water flooded the lobby and streets. I feel so bad for the fish here. Then on top of that you have a couple of people who sustained injuries, and this also can’t be good for the jobs of those working at the hotel.

What do you make of this aquarium incident?

Conversations (53)
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.
Type your response here.

If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Anyone can comment, and your email address will not be published. Register to save your unique username and earn special OMAAT reputation perks!

  1. Jules Guest

    Stayed there 20 years ago or so. Great hotel and location and outdoor dining area in Mitte. Opened my curtains upon arrival though to find tourists in my face even on a high floor- moved to a street facing room. Horrible… but very lucky this didn’t happen during the day.

  2. Santastico Guest

    Usually new aquariums use acrylic and not glass. Maybe that was not the case in 2023.

    1. Kent Guest

      I think this aquarium was constructed from polycarbonate walls for better low temperature impact performance. Acrylates have very poor impact strength. I read somewhere that low temperature ductile failure may have been the cause, since temperatures dropped recently.

  3. Mark R. Guest

    I smell a lawsuit against the engineering firm!

    1. Frank Guest

      Where is the 2nd largest now 1st is gone?

    2. Amine Guest

      The one in Morocco Mall

  4. dwondermeant Guest

    Apparently someone didn't like their new loyalty program changes and the separation from Radisson America
    I guess our Xmas booking won't likely be honored ;)
    What a mess.Hope they have good insurance

    1. Cami Guest

      Thank goodness nobody was in the elevator within the tank when it exploded

  5. EK_engineer Guest

    A million litres of water under heavy vertical pressure. Add even MORE vertical pressure by compressing it into an extremely tall, tubular shape.....hey, what could possibly go wrong? When you tinker around with the forces of physics, be damned sure your calculations, engineering, and maintenance are 100% because 99% is not good enough.

    1. Eskimo Guest

      A tube of metal heavier than air. Add even MORE pressure by getting it up to 30,000 ft. using an over sized engine attached to a 60 year old design controlled by a faulty software regulated by best buddies..... hey, what could possibly go wrong?

      When you tinker around with the forces of physics, let Boeing lead by example. because 99% is good enough to make shareholders rich.

  6. Bob Guest

    Ben
    Why choose the wording -explodes.

    It burst, most probably some material flaw.

    You need to be more professional.

    1. Eskimo Guest

      You mean The SUN who posted videos about it, is unprofessional too?

      Hint: Avoid Garry Leff.

    2. Icarus Guest

      The Sun lol aka the scum

  7. Never In Doubt Guest

    WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN, er FISH!

  8. Hoi Guest

    I stayed there many years ago for grand opening and special meeting with Chancellor Merkel

  9. Luke Guest

    I'd be starting my grill about now.

  10. Me Guest

    Well, here's an opportunity for the homeless to have a fish fry!

  11. Hilda Guest

    What a horrible thing to happen. Could it be that the pressure inside the tank became too much for the glass?

    1. Terry Guest

      I know, right. And she probably thinks she really figured it out.

    2. Eskimo Guest

      Harry and Meghan was in there too?

  12. BougieMiles Guest

    I appreciate that you showed compassion for the fish <3. Crazy story though.

  13. Ross Guest

    How much Russian gas did it take to keep that tank at tropical temperatures? But this never would have happened if King Heinrich's coup had succeeded.

  14. Eric Guest

    This whole thing sounds fishy to me.

  15. u600213 Guest

    I like the location of this hotel and someplace to use up my points since not many Radisson's where I usually travel. Not into fish but too bad for the hotel. The rooms facing the tank had a weird wedge shape and kind of felt a little claustrophobic to me.

  16. Max Guest

    Finally an opportunity to put some exotic, protected fish into a roll and eat it.

  17. Kendall Guest

    They're fish, mate. They've lived the most privileged life in that aquarium. Feel sorry for the wild fish in the oceans that have to endure the cruelty of nature 24/7

  18. Marla Canady Guest

    Why does there need to be an aquarium of this magnitude inside of a hotel? Please and thanks

  19. Maryland Guest

    PETA thought it would be great to free the fish.

    1. Eskimo Guest

      You know that PETA or Greenpeace are not idiots to free the fish like this.

      They would have blown up the entire hotel and leave the fish tank intact.

    2. Maryland Guest

      PETA actually kills more animals than they save. Mission statement confirms this. The belief being a domesticated animal is better off dead if it's not "free" (this includes fish, and adoptable pets). I encourage everyone to visit their website, read the mission statement etc before donating as it's the end of the year and it's a 501C3. Apparently , regarding the fur trade many people seem to think the mission wants to save animals. They...

      PETA actually kills more animals than they save. Mission statement confirms this. The belief being a domesticated animal is better off dead if it's not "free" (this includes fish, and adoptable pets). I encourage everyone to visit their website, read the mission statement etc before donating as it's the end of the year and it's a 501C3. Apparently , regarding the fur trade many people seem to think the mission wants to save animals. They wish to throw domesticated animals back into the wild. Research before you support.

  20. Bill Guest

    When will the stupidity of the human race stop? This is unbelievable, what have these morons done to save the fish???

  21. monsieurlee Member

    > The cause of this is unknown

    Ethan Hunt was caught up in an Agency mole hunt...

    1. Julie S Guest

      Thank you. This was my first thought. “Red light…green light!!”

    2. WILL Guest

      I am Will. I AM SORRY. I WAS HAVING A BAD DAY BECAUSE I DIDNT HAVE MY GRILLED CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE MILK. I AM SORRY. PLEASE SAY HELLO TO MILES.

  22. Will Guest

    When will we get real content and reviews again? Or do you now wanna earn your living from reposting news?

    1. MiTroy Guest

      C’mon, be nice, it’s not like you paid for subscription. We’re followers, not customers.

    2. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      Why be a dick? Dude just brought home a newborn for crying out loud, and is still providing all of this for free.

    3. Willi Guest

      Come on guys, you know it is more complex than that. It is a mutual benefit: as long as Ben gets credit card referrals and clicks, his blog is profitable. Which means that us readers make his living. Don’t get me wrong, I am reading almost daily, but still….

    4. Statistically Insignificant Guest

      So Willi, in your narcissistic view, what do you believe Ben actually "owes" you??

    5. Will Guest

      Good and unique content! Please don’t act like his business is a charity. Not asking him to steal from orphans…

    6. Emily Guest

      It's a blog. 99% of the content here is published hours or even days after other primary sources have covered them. We come here for the entertainment, not for valuable information. There are enough credible travel sources elsewhere if you desire quality info.

  23. DaninMCI Guest

    Pardon my dark humor on this one but...

    Edit: "It (used to hold) the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium.

    Maybe the aquarium is a reflection of the Radisson hotel loyalty program?

    Maybe it was the Peabody Ducks radical insurgents?

    Seriously this is sad and I Hope everyone is OK.

  24. ML Guest

    Why are the injured people an afterthought?

    1. Anti-ML Guest

      Start your own travel blog if you want editorial control.

    2. ML Guest

      If you have a problem with my comments you can start your own commenting blog

    3. Zebraitis Guest

      Clearly someone didn't know: People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

      ... cracks me up.

    4. 9volt Gold

      Why not? 1500 deaths should be first and foremost. Two injuries is not even a close second.

    5. Slaphappy Guest

      Yeah, fish are absolutely more important than humans! It's no wonder why this world is in the state it is when we have morons like you.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

ConcordeBoy Diamond

Why be a dick? Dude just brought home a newborn for crying out loud, and is still providing all of this for free.

7
MiTroy Guest

C’mon, be nice, it’s not like you paid for subscription. We’re followers, not customers.

4
Eric Guest

This whole thing sounds fishy to me.

3
Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
5,163,247 Miles Traveled

32,614,600 Words Written

35,045 Posts Published

Keep Exploring OMAAT