What Caused the Roof Collapse at Delhi's Terminal 1, Resulting in One Death and Six Injuries?

 A tragic incident occurred at Delhi’s Terminal 1 this morning as a portion of the roof collapsed due to heavy rain. This unfortunate event resulted in the death of one person and injuries to six others. Several vehicles, including cabs, were also damaged in the collapse.

According to the civil aviation ministry, all flight departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily halted. The ministry posted on X, “Heavy rain early this morning caused the collapse of the canopy at Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport. Consequently, flights to and from Terminal 1 are suspended until further notice. Alternative arrangements are being made to ensure the smooth operation of flights.”

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu visited the site and inspected Terminal 1. He announced that operations would temporarily shift to Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Describing the incident as “very serious,” the minister emphasized that a thorough inspection of the airport’s structure would be conducted. The investigation will reveal the technical reasons and other aspects of the incident.

The minister also announced compensation for the victims: ₹20 lakh for the family of the deceased and ₹3 lakh for each injured person.

The incident occurred at one of the busiest airports in the world, which sees around 1,400 flight movements daily across its three terminals: T1, T2, and T3. The collapse involved the roof sheet and support beams, which fell onto cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of Terminal 1. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received the report around 5:30 am.

Read more: https://indiaobservers.com/terminal-1-roof-collapse-delhi-airport/

During the rescue operations, a man was extricated from a car that had been crushed by an iron beam. In response to the incident, IndiGo and SpiceJet, the two airlines operating out of Terminal 1, canceled their flights. IndiGo stated that the structural damage to Terminal 1 disrupted their operations, leading to flight cancellations.

“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,” an IndiGo spokesperson said. Similarly, SpiceJet canceled its flights until further notice, advising passengers to stay updated through their social media channels.