An explosion has ruptured the world's largest freestanding aquarium and killed 1000s fish to their deaths.
The enormous Sea Life tourist attraction tank, which is known as the AquaDom, was the central column of the Radisson Blu DomAquaree building in central Berlin, which also contains a hotel and cafes.
Glass and other debris were swept out of the building as one million litres of water poured out of the 82-foot-high aquarium shortly before 6am (5am GMT).
Berlin's fire service said two people were lightly injured and rescue dogs were being prepared to search the building for anyone who might be trapped under debris.
There was speculation that freezing temperatures of down to -10C overnight had caused a crack in the tank, which then exploded under the weight of the water.
Police said the cause of the incident was still being investigated but there was no evidence that it was the result of an attack.
Witness Gwendolin Szyszkowitz told German news channel n-tv that she heard a loud bang and initially feared a bomb had exploded.
Operators say the aquarium has the biggest cylindrical tank in the world and contained 1,500 tropical fish of 80 different species before the incident.
The aquarium, which was last modernised in 2020, is a major tourist magnet in Berlin and some of the hotel claims some rooms have a view of the tank.
The 10-minute elevator ride through the tank was one of the highlights of the city.
A spokesman for the Berlin Fire Brigade posted on Twitter : ""The aquarium is damaged, water is leaking. The situation is not clear at the moment."
In addition to the dead fish, two people were injured by "glass splinters" after the "incredible maritime damage", the Berlin police added.
Roads surrounding the hotel had to be locked off due to the rush of water.
Four hundred guests at the hotel had to be evacuated.
Deutsche Welle reported: "They are waiting to be transported to another hotel in Berlin."
A message on the company's website added: "Due to the recently reported incident in regards to the AquaDom, SEA LIFE Berlin is unfortunately temporarily closed."
Experts are now investigating the cause of the explosion.
A purpose-built lift takes people wanting to see the fish up through the centre of the aquarium.
The AquaDom was awarded a Guinness World Record for being the world's largest cylindrical aquarium after its opening in December 2003.
At the time of its construction, it cost around £11.2million to build.
