Delhi airport: 1 dead and 5 hurt as roof collapses at Terminal 1; all operations suspended for now
PTC News Desk: Three fire engines raced to the scene on Friday at Terminal 1 of New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) after a section of the roof collapsed on cars, including taxis, during heavy rains, injuring at least six persons.
As to the report, Delhi Fire Services received a call at approximately 5:30 am today regarding a roof collapse. In addition to the roof sheet, the support beams gave way, causing damage to the vehicles parked in the terminal's pick-up and drop area. After being saved, every injured person was brought to the hospital.
"I got a call about 5:30 in the morning about a ceiling collapse at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1. According to a Delhi Fire Services officer, three fire engines have been dispatched to the scene immediately," ANI said.
To ensure that there are no more people stranded in the damaged cars, a rescue operation is in progress.
Due to the incident, check-in counters are closed as a safety precaution, and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has temporarily suspended all departures from Terminal 1.
DIAL claims that the section collapsed as a result of intense rain. "A section of the canopy at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1's old Departure forecourt collapsed around five in the morning due to heavy rain that has been falling since early this morning." There have been reports of injuries, and emergency workers are attempting to offer those impacted the required support, including medical attention.
Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, stated that the rescue effort is still in progress and that he is personally keeping an eye on the situation.
"Observing firsthand the incident involving the roof fall at T1 Delhi Airport. On the scene are first responders at work. Additionally, the airlines were instructed to help any impacted passengers at T1. The injured have been flown to a medical facility. Rescue efforts are still in progress, Naidu wrote in a post on X.
#UPDATE | 4 people were injured, all have been rescued and taken to hospital after a roof collapsed at Terminal-1 of Delhi airport: Delhi Fire Service https://t.co/nZrfh05nhu — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024
In the wee hours of Friday, Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) saw nonstop rain, thunderstorms, and lightning, which resulted in waterlogging and flooding of the region's roadways.
Thursday's intense rains in the nation's capital kept the day's temperature just below average. Pre-monsoon showers fell over the area on Wednesday as well, preventing Delhi's high temperature from rising above 40°C.
On October 31, 2023, the Delhi Airport's Terminal 1 reopened to passengers, some 19 months after operations were halted for upgrades and COVID-19 concerns.
In addition, the airport's expanded Terminal 1 opened for business in March of this year. The airport can now handle 40 million people annually (MPPA), which is more than twice as many as it could manage at 17 MPPA.
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
The airport experienced an unprecedented spike in plane traffic and passenger numbers in 2019, which prompted the start of the expansion project.
Eight access gates on the enlarged T1 are outfitted with DigiYatra's facial recognition technology. In addition, there are ten baggage return carousels, 100 check-in desks, including 36 self-baggage drop kiosks, and 20 automated tray retrieval systems.
In order to facilitate vehicle traffic, the terminal also has 24 entry points with rearranged pick-up and drop-off lanes. Passengers can make use of a self-medication room, baby care rooms, smart washrooms, lounges, prayer rooms, yoga areas, silent zones, and other amenities within the terminal in addition to retail and dining options.
The Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro is connected to the T1 terminal of the airport.
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- With inputs from agencies
