Shopping terror as shark tank bursts in busy mall - video

An ordinary day out for thousands of shoppers was shattered when a 33-ton aquarium full of sharks burst without warning, showering them with water and broken glass.

Horrified visitors in the Shanghai Orient shopping centre fled from the tank in panic as water cascaded onto the floor.

Three lemon sharks, which can grow to 10ft long, and dozens of turtles and smaller fish were thrown out of the tank as the entire contents of the aquarium were released.

In all 16 people were injured, mostly with cuts inflicted by shards of glass.

Shop windows and displays were also left ruined. None of the creatures housed in the aquarium survived.

The shocking moment was captured by security cameras in the busy mall.