New Delhi on Friday woke to the tragic news of IGI Airport's Terminal 1 collapse. At least one person died and eight others were injured after a portion of the roof at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal-1 collapsed on cars early Friday morning. All flight departures from the terminal were also temporarily suspended. After record-breaking heat, the national capital has been witnessing incessant rains with the Safdarjung base station reportedly seeing 228.1 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours till 8.30 am today.
Now, the Delhi Airport Terminal 1 collapse video is going viral on X and the opposition has been demanding answers from the Modi government. The Delhi airport's Terminal-1 roof fell on cars, including taxis. Currently, a search operation is underway to ensure no one else is trapped in the damaged vehicles. IGI Airport Terminal 1 collapse video showcased that it involved not just the roof sheet but also the support beams, causing significant damage to cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal.
A picture is also going viral on X which showcases a cab driver stuck inside a car with a heavy support beam lying on the car. As per reports, one person was rescued from a car after an iron beam had fallen on it. DFS officials received a call about the incident around 5:30 am, prompting the dispatch of three fire-tenders to the airport.
Talking about the Delhi Airport Roof Collapse reason, a DIAL spokesperson was quoted saying, "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.
For the unversed, Delhi Airport or Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi is operated by the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a consortium led by the GMR Group. The airport consists of three terminals, namely T1, T2, and T3, with Terminal 1 exclusively handling domestic flight operations.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu took to his X handle and wrote, "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."
It is pertinent to mention here that GMR had posted a video on its YouTube channel in May 2024 about the expansion of terminal 1. In its description, GMR wrote, "Here’s a look at the newly expanded Terminal 1 at Delhi International Airport! Inaugurated by PM Shri Narendra Modi, this expansion puts Delhi International Airport Terminal in the global 100 Million passenger capacity club joining the globe's airport elite."
On the claims that the terminal that collapsed was inaugurated by PM Modi just months before, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, "...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..."