The Delhi International Airport management on Friday set up a committee to investigate the roof collapse at Terminal 1 of the airport, killing one person and injuring eight.
DIAL spokesperson in a statement said that the primary cause of the roof collapse seems to be the heavy rainfall, that lashed the capital from early morning.
"Due to heavy rains and winds through the night in Delhi, a canopy at the old departure forecourt of Terminal 1 (T1) partially collapsed around 5 am this morning. While the cause for the collapse is being assessed, the primary cause seems to be the continued heavy rainfall over the past few hours,” said the DIAL spokesperson.
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“As per the Indian Meteorological Department, Delhi Safdarjung recorded massive 228.1mm of rains in the last 24 hours (mainly in the early morning hours of today). This is the highest 24 hours of rain in Delhi in June after 1936, the average rainfall in the area in last 30 years is 75.2 mm,” the spokesperson added.
The airport spokesperson said the rescue operations were immediately launched and complete evacuation was carried out.
Four vehicles were damaged and eight individuals received minor injuries. “During this incident, four (4) vehicles were damaged, and eight (8) individuals received minor injuries and were provided immediate medical assistance at the Medanta Centre at Delhi Airport. The injured have been shifted to ESI Hospital and Indian Spinal Injury Centre (later they were referred to Safdarjung Hospital) for further medical supervision, as required. Unfortunately, one fatality was reported in the incident,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness at the site said there was no loud noise of anything breaking when the roof collapsed.
Chaos erupted at the terminal after rods fell on the cars parked at the site. If there was any major sound of the rods cracking then people could have at least run to a safer place but everything happened all of a sudden, said an eyewitness.
#Update on #Delhi T-1 Incident. pic.twitter.com/7KcrhL9p25
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The CRPF and the local police reached the site immediately after getting the information. The fire department had to send earthmovers to remove the heavy beams that landed on the cars parked at the terminal.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Rangnani said the area where the roof collapsed has been cordoned off and teams have been deployed to ensure that no one stands near the incident site.
In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed that the injured people have been shifted to hospital.
"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," he said in the post.
The Union Minister said that all flights scheduled after 2 pm will be departing from the other two terminals, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, of the airport.
(With PTI inputs)
