Huge aquarium bursts in Berlin

{O/C}

To a dramatic spectacle in Berlin where a massive 8-storey-high aquarium housing 1,500 exotic fish came crashing down.

{RVO}

It began with a thunderous bang as the world's largest freestanding aquarium, AquaDom, burst, unleashing a powerful one million litres of water shortly before 6 in the morning local time.

In the aftermath, debris was strewn across the streets as water gushed through the hotel lobby.

Nearly all of the 1,500 fish inside died gasping for air.

They included blue tang and clownfish -- two colourful species known from the popular animated movie "Finding Nemo."

Veterinarian and firefighters were seen rescuing hundreds of smaller fish.

There is word frigid temperatures that plummeted to minus 10 degrees Celsius had caused a crack in the glass tank.

Local police have found no evidence of a malicious act.