Around 1,500 fish are swept away when the AquaDom aquarium in Berlin bursts, only a few of them survive. However, hundreds more fish swim in subterranean breeding tanks. The Berlin fire brigade starts an evacuation campaign.
After the aquarium in a Berlin hotel burst, around 630 fish were rescued from the underground breeding tanks, according to the building owner. These fish were not in the bursting AquaDom aquarium, but in other tanks, as Union Investment spokesman Fabian Hellbusch said.
They were distributed to the Berlin Tierpark, the zoo, the Sealife in the Dom Aquarée and among a network of special breeders. "This distribution process is currently not yet complete - this will probably be done tomorrow," it said. The measure will be coordinated with veterinarians.
Three koi arrived at the Berlin Zoo on Friday evening, as a spokeswoman confirmed. They are currently housed in a separate pool in the rear area. "Some saltwater fish will probably arrive later in the day."
The approximately 1,500 fish in the 16 meter high aquarium that burst were not so lucky. Almost all were flushed out and died. According to the fire brigade, however, some water collected in the ring, which was actually supposed to stabilize the aquarium. "Three large buckets full" of live fish had been rescued from the area, said a fire department spokesman. Live fish were also repeatedly found in puddles under debris on Friday.
The huge aquarium in the hotel near Alexanderplatz burst on Friday morning. A million liters of water poured out of the broken glass cylinder into the hotel and onto the street. Two people were slightly injured. According to the police, there were initially no indications of a targeted, violent attack. Instead, material fatigue is suspected.
