An aquarium and a shopping centre in Dubai have been evacuated after water leaked from a crack in the massive tank holding hundreds of sharks.

Safety officials said the "small crack" appeared in the tank which holds 10 million litres of water and more than 33,000 underwater creatures.

The aquarium, opened in 2008, was promoted as being an "indoor ocean".

The mall surrounding the aquarium was evacuated and teams carrying lifejackets were seen entering.

Mall owner Emaar Properties has not yet responded to reporters' requests for comment.

The aquarium is at the foot of the world's largest building -the Burj Khalifa, also owned by Emaar Properties - it had to shut its viewing deck after a lift malfunction earlier in February.

Dubai has had a recent string of publicity disasters following last year's announcement the Emirate would not be able to pay its debts.

Source: BBC News