The Middle East's biggest shopping centre was partially evacuated today as maintenance crews scrambled to contain a leak, captured on video, springing from a shark-filled aquarium. The footage posted on the website of a Dubai newspaper showed the water from the 2.6m-gallon (11m-litre) tank pouring on to the mall's polished floors. Visitors were kept from the scene after the water began pouring from behind the 75cm-thick viewing panel. However, from a distance the water appeared to be contained inside the tank. "There has been a small break in the glass," an official at Dubai's civil defence department said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Emaar – the company that owns the mall and the world's largest building, the Burj Khalifa, above – confirmed the leak in a brief statement. "A leakage was noticed at one of the panel joints of the Dubai Aquarium at the Dubai Mall and was immediately fixed by the aquarium's maintenance team," it said. "The leakage did not impact the aquarium environment or the safety of the aquatic animals."

The incident raises fresh questions about building safety in the city-state. Less than three weeks ago Emaar barred public access to the Burj Khalifa after an elevator got stuck near the 124th-floor observation deck. The company added that it "upholds the highest safety standards in its management". It did not make anyone available to comment further. Much of the area around the aquarium was evacuated and has been cordoned off. An employee working for the ticket office, Samia al-Rajaby, said that the aquarium was being closed for the day as maintenance crews worked.fish tanks for sale in portsmouth Shopkeepers near the aquarium said they were ordered to close their stores and evacuate the area for fear of further flooding during repairs.second hand fish tanks for sale in scotland

"They told me that the aquarium exploded," an employee of an affected shop said on condition of anonymity. "We feel upset because it's the end of the month and the start of the weekend and we were expecting many customers." But Alena Markovich, a manager of a clothing store that remained open for business, said the security response was swift and appropriate. "They are doing their best," she said. The Dubai Mall opened in November 2008. The shark, stingray and fish-filled aquarium is on the ground floor and boasts the world's largest acrylic viewing panel.2nd hand fish tanks for sale south africaFifteen people were hurt by flying glass and fish when a giant shark-filled aquarium exploded at a shopping mall yesterday. aquarium fish for sale cape townShoppers were hit when the 10inch thick protective glass gave way without warning in Shaghai, China, while other terrified passers by fled in panic. fish tank shop in gravesend

The entrance to the Dongfang shopping mall was flooded and covered in glass when the 34-tonne casing suddenly shattered. Destroyed: Glass shattered all over the shopping mall entrance after it burst without warning Dangerous: The site was cordoned off by police and an investigation has been launched into the cause Death: Three lemon sharks and dozens of smaller fish and turtles died when the tank exploded A worker carries two of the sharks that died when the tank burstfish tank shops in lancashire Three lemon sharks and dozens of smaller fish and turtles died and police have launched an investigation.One worker said: 'There was no warning. Just a loud crack and it went. I've never been so scared.' Police said some people were seriously hurt by the thick glass and were taken to Changzheng Hospital with deep cuts. tank had become a local landmark since it was installed two years ago

and every week a diver would swim with the sharks, feeding them by spokesman said: 'There were lots of injuries caused by flying glass, some of them serious because the glass was so thick. 'We are investigating what caused this.' Attraction: The tank has been popular since it was installed two years ago and people would flock to watch a diver feed the sharks by hand Wrecked: The entire structure was destroyed when the tank burst Injured: A man is treated after getting cut by glass. In total 15 people were hurt Aquarium bursts in shopping centre in Shanghai 27 December 2012 Last updated at 09:38 GMT Sixteen people have been hurt after an aquarium burst at a shopping mall in Shanghai. The thirty-three tonne tank which housed sharks, turtles and fish shattered without warning at the city's Orient shopping centre on 18 December. The explosion destroyed a nearby cosmetics counter where one worker had to be pulled to safety.The tank was installed just two years ago but investigators say a combination of low temperatures and weak materials caused the catastrophic collapse.

Three lemon sharks and dozens of turtles and small fish were killed in the incident. Most watched Top stories Most watched Top stories World UK Business Politics Health Science & Environment Technology Entertainment On your connected tvShark tank bursts over shoppers in China Sixteen people are wounded when a shark-filled aquarium bursts at a shopping centre in Shanghai, sending glass and fish flying, state media reports. Surveillance video shown today on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV captured the moment a 33-tonne aquarium housing sharks, turtles and fish suddenly shattered at Shanghai's Orient shopping centre, injuring 16 people. The giant tank burst with no warning on December 18, sending glass and fish flying into the crowd. A man, who was taking pictures of the tank when it broke, was swept away by water, the video showed. Shoppers, shop assistants and mall security staff suffered cuts and bruises as pieces of six-inch thick acrylic glass flew through the air, CCTV reported.

Three lemon sharks and dozens of turtles and small fish were killed in the incident, according to local media reports. Police have launched an investigation. Preliminary investigations suggest low temperatures and the age of the materials used were to blame for the incident. The shopping mall said they had no plans to rebuild the aquarium that had become a popular site since it was installed two years ago. Weird News Video » Woody Allen's 30 best one-liners Martin Chilton selects 30 great one-liners from the comedian and film The best British political insults A hilarious history of political insults and putdowns, from Churchill to Culture stars who died in 2016 We celebrate and remember the culture stars who have passed away in 2016 US Presidents: 30 great one-liners Great quotes from White House incumbents: will Donald Trump be joining them? 100 funny jokes by 100 comedians One hundred whip-smart wisecracks History's greatest conspiracy theories