A section of the roof at Delhi’s Terminal 1 airport collapsed early this morning due to heavy rainfall, resulting in one fatality and eight injuries. Dramatic footage circulating online captures the moment when massive pillars supporting the roof came crashing down on parked cars.
In response, airport authorities have suspended all flights from Terminal 1. The collapse occurred at 05:00 local time (23:30 GMT Thursday). While the specific cause of the incident is still being investigated, preliminary assessments suggest the prolonged heavy rain is to blame.
Four vehicles sustained damage in the collapse, and the injured individuals received minor injuries. India’s aviation regulator has advised airlines to either rebook passengers on other flights or provide refunds, causing significant disruption as Terminal 1 handles a majority of domestic flights. Some airlines have shifted operations to the airport’s other terminals.
Delhi International Airport Limited has formed a technical committee to thoroughly investigate the cause. “We are working with all relevant agencies to assess the situation and restore operations,” the authorities stated.
The Federal Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, announced compensation of 2 million rupees ($24,000; £19,000) for the family of the deceased and 300,000 rupees for the injured. He reassured the public that inspections are ongoing to prevent similar incidents and that all airports with additional structures across the country would be reviewed.
Criticism erupted on social media regarding the collapse, especially since Terminal 1 underwent a massive renovation costing billions of rupees and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March. However, Kinjarapu clarified that the collapsed section was not part of the renovated area but an older structure opened in 2009.
Delhi has experienced continuous heavy rains since Thursday, alleviating the severe heat but causing widespread chaos. Waterlogged roads have led to significant traffic jams and vehicle breakdowns, while flights have faced delays and cancellations. The Indian meteorological department predicts more heavy to very heavy rainfall over the weekend.
