From BZ/dpa
After the accident in December, one thing is certain: the Aquadom that burst in Berlin will not be rebuilt. The neighboring Sealife aquarium is now opening again – with a special attraction.
Five months after the famous Aquadom burst in the Radisson Hotel near Alexanderplatz, the neighboring Sealife Aquarium reopened its doors on Monday. “Everyone is really happy that normality is returning here,” said aquarium manager Martin Hansel. Finally, visitors can admire the more than 120 species again – including rays, seahorses and dogfish.
When the 16-meter-high Aquadom aquarium burst in the middle of Berlin on December 16 for reasons that have not yet been clarified, the masses of water quickly spread to the surroundings of the hotel lobby – and also reached the Sealife Aquarium.
The destroyed cylinder of the Aquadom and the remains of the acrylic paneling can be seen in the hotel lobby five weeks after the large aquarium burst Photo: dpa
The attraction is in close proximity to the scene of the accident, but is not operated by the same owners.
“We were lucky in disguise,” said Hansel. The visitor shop in the exit area of the exhibition was completely destroyed by the rushing water. The 31 pools with around 3,000 animals were spared. In contrast to the Aquadom, where almost all of the 1500 fish died, none of the animals were harmed in the Sealife.
Fragments impeded exit
Nevertheless, the aquarium, which is popular with children, has had to remain closed until now, explained the attraction manager at Sealife, Anja Nitsch. This was due to the fact that the more than 700 fragments of the destroyed Aquadome – some weighing tons – had been stored for a long time in front of the Sealife Aquarium’s exit. Guests could therefore not have been let out of the exhibition. Now the exit is free again. However, the shop is still being renovated and will remain closed for the time being.
Even if there is little to remember the accident five months ago on site, a small part of the Aquadom has recently moved into the Sealife. “We took in just over 200 animals from the Aquadom’s underground tanks,” said Hansel. Some have since moved to a new location, but some have stayed – including a school of shimmering blue swallowtail fish that are happy in their new home.
A flock of Swallowtails (Chromis viridis) swims in a Sealife aquarium Photo: dpa