Current:Home > ScamsProsecutors close investigation of Berlin aquarium collapse as the cause remains unclear-InfoLens
Prosecutors close investigation of Berlin aquarium collapse as the cause remains unclear
View Date:2024-12-23 14:08:20
BERLIN (AP) — Prosecutors in Berlin said Tuesday they have closed their investigation into the spectacular collapse of a huge aquarium last December after an expert report failed to pin down a reason why the tank burst.
The AquaDom aquarium, which stood in a hotel lobby in the center of the German capital, burst in the early hours of Dec. 16, sending 1 million liters (264,000 gallons) of water gushing into the building and the street outside. Two people were slightly injured.
Prosecutors said they have closed an investigation of persons unknown on suspicion of causing bodily harm by negligence after evaluating the export report, commissioned by the building’s owners, which they received on Oct. 6.
Its author, engineer Christian Bonten, has presented three theories but said there was no clear evidence to prove any of them.
The hypotheses were that an adhesive seam holding together the cylinder may have failed; that the tank may have been damaged by a dent in its base when the aquarium was modernized in 2020; or that the tank may have been refilled too late after that modernization, drying the acrylic glass walls out too much.
Prosecutors said in a statement that since the cause couldn’t be pinpointed, they had no lead to follow in terms of who might be responsible. They said there had never been any suspicion of a deliberate act.
The aquarium first opened in 2003. There are no plans to rebuild it.
Authorities have said that nearly all of the 1,500 fish that were inside at the time of the rupture died but “a few fish at the bottom of the tank” were saved. About 400 to 500 mostly small fish from a separate set of aquariums housed under the hotel lobby were evacuated to other tanks in a neighboring aquarium that was unaffected.
veryGood! (85)
Related
- Horoscopes Today, November 11, 2024
- Can AI help me pack? Tips for using ChatGPT, other chatbots for daily tasks
- Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips ends Democratic primary challenge and endorses President Joe Biden
- Indiana lawmakers in standoff on antisemitism bill following changes sought by critics of Israel
- Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
- Opening remarks, evidence next in manslaughter trial of Michigan school shooter’s dad
- 'Hotel California' trial abruptly ends after prosecutors drop case over handwritten Eagles lyrics
- Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik Are Reprising Big Bang Theory Roles
- Ex-Phoenix Suns employee files racial discrimination, retaliation lawsuit against the team
- Apple is making big App Store changes in Europe over new rules. Could it mean more iPhone hacking?
Ranking
- Inter Miami's MLS playoff failure sets stage for Messi's last act, Alexi Lalas says
- Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter
- TJ Maxx's Designer Bag Deals Are Fashion's Best-Kept Secret For Scoring Luxury Bags for Less
- Lawyer behind effort to remove Fani Willis from Georgia Trump case testifies before state lawmakers
- Video ‘bares’ all: Insurers say bear that damaged luxury cars was actually a person in a costume
- Nick Saban's candid thoughts on the state of college football are truly worth listening to
- Say cheese! Hidden Valley Ranch, Cheez-It join forces to create Cheezy Ranch
- Progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón advances to runoff
Recommendation
-
Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor
-
Texas man arrested in alleged scam attempt against disgraced former congressman George Santos
-
No video voyeurism charge for ousted Florida GOP chair, previously cleared in rape case
-
Shake Shack giving away free sandwiches Monday based on length of Oscars telecast: What to know
-
Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
-
Teen killed, 4 injured in shooting at Philadelphia city bus stop; suspects at large
-
Senate committee advances bill to create a new commission to review Kentucky’s energy needs
-
Polynesian women's basketball players take pride in sharing heritage while growing game