WATCH VIDEO | Roof Collapse At Delhi Airport Terminal, One Dead And Five Injured Amid Heavy Rainfall

At least six individuals were injured when a portion of the roof collapsed onto vehicles, including taxis, amid heavy rainfall at Terminal-1 of New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday, as reported by the news agency PTI, citing an official from Delhi Fire Services.

According to the Delhi Fire Service, one person has died following the collapse of a portion of the canopy at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1 today. Early morning rainfall in Delhi and surrounding areas provided respite from the heat.

Photo Credit: X/ANI

#UPDATE | One person died after a portion of the canopy at Delhi Airports Terminal 1 collapsed today: Delhi Fire Service https://t.co/CETWtY95jz

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

WATCH VIDEO | Roof Collapse At Delhi Airport

According to the report, a call regarding the roof collapse was received by Delhi Fire Services at approximately 5:30 am today. In addition to the roof sheet, the support beams also collapsed, resulting in damage to vehicles parked in the pick-up and drop-off area of the terminal. All the injured were rescued and transported to the hospital.

"At around 5:30 am, a call regarding a roof collapse at Terminal-1 of Delhi airport was received. Three fire engines were dispatched to the location," an official from Delhi Fire Services was quoted as saying by ANI. A rescue operation is currently underway to ensure that no one remains trapped in the damaged vehicles.

#WATCH | "A roof collapsed at Terminal-1 of Delhi airport. 3 fire tenders were rushed to the spot", says an official from Delhi Fire Services

(Video source - Delhi Fire Services) pic.twitter.com/qdRiSFrctv

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

As a consequence of the incident, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has temporarily suspended all departures from Terminal 1, and check-in counters have been closed as a precautionary measure.

According to DIAL, the portion of the roof collapsed due to the heavy rainfall. "Due to heavy rain early this morning, a section of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport's Terminal 1 collapsed at approximately 5 am. Injuries have been reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected."

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, stated that he is personally monitoring the incident and that the rescue operation is still in progress.

"Personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1 Delhi Airport. First responders are working on-site. Airlines have been advised to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured individuals have been evacuated to the hospital. Rescue operations are ongoing," Naidu posted on X.

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

Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) experienced incessant downpours accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in the early hours of Friday, leading to waterlogging and road inundation throughout the region.

The national capital received heavy showers on Thursday, maintaining slightly cooler temperatures throughout the day. Pre-monsoon showers on Wednesday also kept Delhi's maximum temperature below 40°C.

Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport was reopened for passengers on October 31, 2023, around 19 months after operations were suspended due to COVID concerns and later for renovations.

The expanded Terminal 1 of the airport was inaugurated in March this year. The airport now has the capacity to handle 40 million passengers per annum (MPPA), which is more than double its previous capacity of 17 MPPA.

The expansion work began in 2019 following a massive surge in air traffic and passenger numbers at the airport, which exceeded expectations.

The expanded Terminal 1 is equipped with eight entry gates featuring DigiYatra's facial recognition system. It also includes 20 automated tray retrieval systems, 100 check-in counters including 36 self-baggage drop kiosks, and 10 baggage reclaim carousels.

The terminal also features 24 entry points with realigned pick-up and drop-off lanes to ease vehicular traffic. Inside the terminal, passengers have access to shopping and dining facilities, a prayer room, a yoga area, a quiet zone, lounges, charging stations, a self-medication room, baby care rooms, smart washrooms, and other amenities.

Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport is connected to the Delhi Metro's Magenta Line.