In a tragic incident, one person has died following the collapse of a portion of the canopy at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 early on Friday morning. The collapse occurred due to heavy rains that hit the Delhi-NCR region.
ADO Ravinder from Delhi Fire Services reported, “The shed of the airport collapsed, resulting in 8 persons trapped. The injured were rescued and removed to Medanta Hospital by PCR/CATS. One trapped person was taken out in dead condition.”
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced, “All departing and arriving flights from Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 are fully operational. Flights at Terminal 1 Arrivals are also operating. However, the departing flights from Terminal 1 are cancelled till 2 pm today.” The Ministry of Civil Aviation later extended this suspension indefinitely, stating, “Heavy rain in early morning today has resulted in the collapse of the canopy of Delhi Airport Terminal 1. As a result, flights to & from Terminal 1 have been closed till further notice. Alternate arrangements are being made for the smooth operation of the flights.”
Traffic to Terminal 1’s departure area has been diverted at the CISF check post towards the arrival section, as confirmed by Delhi police. Several cars parked at the terminal were also damaged by the falling debris.
Upon receiving the distress call at around 5:30 am, three fire tenders rushed to the spot. “Around 5.30 am, we received a call regarding a roof collapse at Terminal-1 of Delhi airport. Three fire engines have been rushed to the spot,” said an official from Delhi Fire Services. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) IGI Airport, Usha Rangnani, confirmed the death and assured that legal action will follow, stating, “At around 5 am, the shed outside Terminal 1 of IGIA (domestic airport), spanning from Departure Gate No. 1 to Gate No. 2, collapsed, in which around 4 vehicles have been damaged and around 6 persons have been injured and one person has died. All injured persons are stable. Delhi police, fire service, CISF & NDRF teams are present on the spot. Legal action is being taken.”
Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, is personally monitoring the situation and overseeing the rescue operations. He posted on X, “Personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1 Delhi Airport. First responders are working at the site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to the hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.”
The incident occurred amidst heavy rains in Delhi-NCR, leading to severe waterlogging in several areas, including Govindpuri in South Delhi and Noida Sector 95. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted generally cloudy skies with varying intensities of rain and gusty winds over the next seven days for Delhi.
In light of the incident, shuttle services from Delhi Aerocity Metro station to Terminal 1- IGI Airport have been suspended. Entry and exit at Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector – 25 Metro station have also been closed due to the downpour.