On Friday, tragedy struck at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport when a section of the roof at Terminal 1 collapsed onto vehicles, including taxis, amidst heavy rains.
Reports indicated one fatality and five injuries as the Delhi Fire Services responded to the incident around 5:30 am. The collapse not only affected the roof but also damaged vehicles in the pick-up and drop area due to collapsed support beams. All injured individuals were promptly transported to hospitals for treatment.
In response, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) temporarily suspended departures from Terminal 1 until 2 pm, with check-in counters closed as a precaution. However, operations continued normally at Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 for both arrivals and departures. Despite the incident, arrivals at Terminal 1 remained operational.
DIAL attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall, stating that emergency personnel were on-site providing assistance and medical aid. Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, personally oversaw rescue efforts and coordinated with airlines to assist affected passengers.
The incident occurred amidst a period of incessant rain and thunderstorms across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), causing widespread waterlogging and road inundations. The city had already experienced heavy showers in preceding days, maintaining cooler temperatures compared to usual.
Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport had recently reopened on October 31, 2023, after a 19-month closure initially due to COVID-19 concerns and later for renovations. The expanded terminal, inaugurated in March of the same year, now accommodates up to 40 million passengers annually, doubling its previous capacity. The expansion project, initiated in 2019 to manage increasing air traffic, includes advanced facilities such as facial recognition at entry gates, automated baggage systems, and numerous passenger amenities like shopping, dining, lounges, and specialized care facilities.
Terminal 1 is conveniently connected to the Delhi Metro Magenta Line, facilitating easy access for travelers.
