Delhi Airport Terminal 1 Stops Ops After Roof Collapses, 1 Dead, 6 Injured

New Delhi: At least one person was killed and six others injured after a portion of the roof of the Delhi airport’s Terminal-1 (T1) collapsed on cars amid heavy rain this morning. All departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters closed as a “safety measure”, a Delhi airport spokesperson said. Terminal-1 has only domestic flight operations.

The spokesperson also said that all departing flights from T1 of IndiGo and SpiceJet are cancelled till 2 pm today.

Four vehicles, including cabs, were damaged in the incident that was reported to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) around 5.30 am. The officials said the roof sheet and the support beams collapsed, damaging the cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

During the rescue operations, a man was taken out from a car on which an iron beam had fallen.

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. As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the statement read.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was “personally monitoring” the roof collapse incident at the Delhi airport and that the injured have been hospitalised.

“First responders are working at the site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital,” the newly-elected minister posted on X.

Indigo Cancels Flights As Roof Collapses At Delhi Airport

IndiGo said that its flight operations were impacted due to structural damage to Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport. In a statement, the low-cost carrier said that the incident has led to flight cancellations in Delhi as “passengers are not able to enter the terminal”.

“Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

“This unplanned situation has also led to operations across the network being impacted. Customers are advised to keep track of and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport,” the statement added.

Heavy Rain In Delhi

Delhi today received heavy rain for the second consecutive day. Rain, which brought respite from the scorching heat, also caused waterlogging in several parts of the national capital.

The Safdarjung Observatory, the capital’s primary weather station, recorded 154 mm of rainfall between yesterday and today morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

On Thursday, rain in Delhi brought the temperature down to 35.4 degrees Celsius.

Official Statements: In a statement, a spokesperson for DIAL expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured that every effort is being made to support those affected. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and the injured. We are working closely with the authorities to understand what led to this tragic event and to prevent such occurrences in the future,” the spokesperson said.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has also been briefed on the situation. In an official communication, the ministry emphasized the importance of stringent safety measures and has called for a comprehensive review of the airport’s infrastructure.

Public Reactions: The incident has sparked concerns among the public regarding the safety standards at one of India’s busiest airports. Social media platforms are abuzz with passengers sharing their experiences and expressing their concerns. Many have called for immediate action to ensure the safety of all travelers and airport personnel.

Conclusion: As the investigation into the roof collapse at Delhi Airport Terminal 1 continues, authorities are focused on providing support to the affected individuals and restoring normal operations as soon as possible. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for rigorous maintenance and safety protocols in public infrastructure to prevent such tragedies in the future.