In a tragic incident early Friday morning, a portion of the roof at Terminal-1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport collapsed, leading to significant disruptions in flight operations and causing one fatality along with injuries to six individuals. The incident occurred amidst heavy rainfall, which exacerbated structural vulnerabilities at the old departure forecourt.
According to reports, the collapse impacted cars, including taxis, parked beneath the canopy, resulting in damage and injuries. Immediate response teams, including Delhi Fire Services, rushed to the scene upon receiving reports around 5:30 am. Rescue operations were swiftly initiated to ensure no one remained trapped inside the affected vehicles. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu promptly responded, expressing personal oversight of the situation and coordinating efforts to assist those affected. Emergency personnel evacuated the injured to nearby Medanta Hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition. Following the incident, flight departures from Terminal-1 were suspended until 2 pm as a precautionary measure. Passengers already inside the terminal were accommodated on their scheduled flights, while operations for later departures were temporarily shifted to Terminal-2 and Terminal-3. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a statement acknowledging the structural damage caused by the collapse and emphasized that all necessary medical aid and assistance were being provided to the affected individuals. The closure of check-in counters and suspension of departures led to the cancellation of several flights, impacting travel plans for passengers.
In response to the operational disruptions, airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet confirmed flight cancellations and alternative arrangements for affected passengers. IndiGo highlighted that passengers already present at Terminal-1 were facilitated to board their flights, while SpiceJet announced the partial closure of operations at T1 until further notice. Authorities, including teams from Delhi Police, Central Industrial Security Force, and National Disaster Response Force, continue to oversee the situation, ensuring safety protocols are maintained and further risks mitigated. Investigations into the cause of the roof collapse are underway, focusing on the structural integrity of the terminal amid adverse weather conditions. As efforts persist to stabilize operations and address safety concerns at Terminal-1, the incident underscores the critical need for robust infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness measures at key transport hubs to safeguard public safety and mitigate operational disruptions during adverse weather events.
