New Delhi, India

One person was killed and six others were injured after a roof at Terminal-1 of New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport collapsed amid heavy rains on Friday (June 28) as India's national capital came to a standstill amid inundated roads and submerged cars, reported news agency ANI.

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People were injured after the roof fell over some of the vehicles at the entrance of the terminal. 

According to the agency, Delhi Fire Services received a call regarding the roof collapse at around 5.30 am on Friday (June 28). Various cars were damaged and all injured people were rescued and admitted to the hospital.

Also Read: Heavy rains in Delhi-NCR bring respite from intense heat, more showers expected in the week

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"Around 5.30 am, 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.

DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) spokesperson said, "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 to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected. As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

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Meanwhile, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu wrote 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 hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing."

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Meanwhile, a passenger at Terminal 1 said, "I have a flight at 9 am. I came to know that the structure above (canopy) has collapsed here. Some flights have been cancelled. They (officials) are now asking us to go to Terminal 2."

The passengers were taken to Terminal 2 and 3 from Terminal 1 and the flights departing from Terminal 1 have been cancelled till 2 pm. Meanwhile, departing and arriving flights from Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 remained fully operational.

In the wake of the incident, IndiGo flight released a statement. "IndiGo flight operations are impacted due to structural damage to Terminal 1, Delhi Airport because of adverse weather conditions. This has led to flight cancellations at Delhi as passengers are not able to enter the terminal. Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives. This unplanned situation has also led to operations across the network being impacted. Customers are advised to keep a track of and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport," it stated.

SpiceJet flights were also cancelled in the wake of the incident.

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The airport later informed that flights at Terminal 1 Arrivals are also operating. But, the departing flights from Terminal 1 remain cancelled till 2 pm. 

Minister Kinjarapu inspects site of roof collapse

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu inspected the site of the roof collapse.

"A section of the canopy which is outside of the airport has collapsed due to heavy rains. We express our condolence to the life that has been lost in this tragic incident, four people have also been injured. So we are taking care of them right now. We immediately sent the emergency response team, the fire safety team and also the CISF, NDRF teams. Everyone was available at the site and they have done thorough inspection so that no other casualties are there. So right now the situation is under control," he said.

"The rest of the terminal building has been closed and everything is being thoroughly inspected so that there is no further untoward incident here ..."

"... we are taking this incident seriously...I want to clarify that the building inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi is on the other side and the building that collapsed here is an old building and was opened in 2009," the minister added. 

He further announced a compensation of Rs 2 million (approx. $23959) for the deceased and Rs 3,00,000 (approx. $3593) for the injured. A probe into the incident has been ordered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Heavy rains batter Delhi

For the second consecutive day, parts of the national capital received heavy rainfall. 

Even though rains gave respite to the people from the scorching heat, it also led to waterlogging in various parts of the national capital. 

In the visuals shared by news agency ANI on X, the roads appeared inundated and traffic jams were seen in parts of Delhi. Meanwhile, a car also got submerged at Minto Road.

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Meanwhile, traffic jam was also seen in the area near Terminal-1 of Delhi airport after heavy rains. 

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The temperature was brought down to 35.4 degrees Celsius in Delhi amid rains on Thursday (June 27). The city received 5.2 mm of rainfall from 8:30 am till 5:30 pm. 

Watch: India: Yellow alert for rains in Delhi

Delhi was facing sweltering heat and recorded nine heatwave days in June. No heatwave days were recorded by the national capital in 2023 and 2022.

The Met Department, in a seven-day forecast for the national capital, has predicted rain till the end of the month and said that showers are likely to intensify on the last two days of the month which can be a signal of the arrival of monsoon.

(With inputs from agencies)