Roof collapse at Delhi airport: 1 dead; flight operations suspended
What's the story
At least one person was killed and five others injured when part of the roof at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi fell onto cars during heavy rain this morning, the NDTV reported.
As a precaution, all departures from Terminal-1—which only handles domestic flights—have been temporarily halted, and check-in counters are closed, according to a Delhi airport spokesperson.
Several vehicles, including taxis, sustained damage in the incident, which was reported to the Delhi Fire Services around 5:30 am.
Rescue efforts
Rescue operations underway
According to reports, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) dispatched three fire engines to the scene after the incident was reported.
During the rescue operations, a man was extracted from a car on which an iron beam had fallen.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu, stated that he was "personally monitoring" the situation and confirmed that "first responders are working at the site."
Twitter Post
Civil aviation minister 'personally monitoring roof collapse'
Personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1 Delhi Airport. First responders are working at site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 28, 2024
Statement
Emergency personnel working to provide necessary assistance: Delhi airport
In an official statement, Delhi airport said that a portion of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport's Terminal-1 collapsed "due to heavy rain since early this morning."
"There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected...We sincerely regret this disruption and apologize," the statement read.
It also said that all departing flights from T1 of IndiGo and SpiceJet are cancelled till 2 pm today.
Twitter Post
Read Delhi Airport's statement here
Terminal 1 Incident pic.twitter.com/Dv9Sir5l4p
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) June 28, 2024
Weather conditions
Heavy rainfall in Delhi causes terminal roof collapse
The roof collapse occurred amid heavy rain in Delhi, which has been experiencing downpours for two consecutive days.
The city's primary weather station, the Safdarjung Observatory, recorded 148.5mm of rainfall between 2:30 am and 5:30 am on the day of the incident.
Notably, Terminal-1 had only recently reopened after being closed due to COVID concerns and renovations.
Twitter Post
Heavy rains lash Delhi
#WATCH | Delhi: Roads inundated as heavy rain continues in parts of National Capital
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024
(Visuals from Govindpuri) pic.twitter.com/9idnGwx0nb