Six individuals sustained injuries and others were potentially trapped after a section of the roof at Delhi airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed onto vehicles, including taxis, amidst heavy rainfall early Friday, according to Delhi Fire Services officials.
A rescue operation is underway to ensure no additional individuals are trapped inside the affected vehicles. Apart from the roof sheet, support beams also gave way, causing damage to cars parked in the terminal’s pick-up and drop-off area.
#WATCH | 4 people were injured after a roof collapsed at the Terminal-1 of Delhi airport. Rescue operation underway pic.twitter.com/A0KHLFFTH6
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024
The injured individuals have been admitted to hospitals, with one person rescued from a car pinned under an iron beam, as reported by officials. Three fire tenders responded to the incident after the DFS received a distress call at 5:30 am.
In response to the incident, traffic heading towards Terminal 1 departures has been diverted at the CISF check post to the arrivals of Terminal 1, leading to traffic congestion near the airport.
#WATCH | After heavy rain, traffic jam witnessed at the area of Terminal-1 of Delhi airport pic.twitter.com/Ivz3AQeKHW
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024
Terminal operations at Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended to ensure passenger safety, confirmed a spokesperson from Delhi International Airport Limited. The collapse occurred due to heavy rainfall early in the morning, prompting the closure of check-in counters and suspension of departures as a precautionary measure.
DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) spokesperson says, “Due to heavy rain since early this morning, a portion of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed around 5 am. There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working… pic.twitter.com/6MNNY8M3SX
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024
Meanwhile, IndiGo Airlines also alerted their passengers about flight cancellations.
#6ETravelAdvisory – Due to heavy rains, #DelhiAirport is partially closed, and all flights to/from Terminal 1 stand cancelled. For alternate flight options or a full refund, please visit https://t.co/6643rYe4I7. We’ll continue to keep you updated.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) June 28, 2024
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu responded to the incident on social media platform 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
Meanwhile, heavy rains across Delhi-NCR have caused waterlogging and incidents of tree falls on Friday morning. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted widespread monsoon rains across North and Northwest India in the coming days, with temperatures expected to decrease by 3-5°C.
