New Delhi: A roof at Terminal-1D of the Indira Gandhi International Airport collapsed early on Friday morning, killing at least one person – a taxi driver – and injuring several others. Check-in counters at the airport were closed because of safety concerns. There were massive traffic jams around the airport area, and all departing flights until 1 pm have been cancelled.
A roof sheet and some supporting pillars fell on cars and taxis lining up outside the departures lane.
The Fire Service received a call about the collapsed roof at around 5:30 am. Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu has said he is personally monitoring the situation.
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
Terminal 1 was expanded recently and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the expanded version on March 11 this year. Opposition leaders hit out at Modi for insisting on inaugurating the terminal during his campaign spree, while it was still “incomplete”.
On March 11 2024 as part of His election campaign if I recall during His inaguration spree. https://t.co/JtAN5gu8BI
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 28, 2024
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Incomplete terminal “inaugurated” before the model code was imposed earlier this year starts falling apart before it’s even completed, what a surprise!! https://t.co/a7LJ4xdDFQ
Advertisement— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 28, 2024
SHOCKING & tragic news this morning.
The roof at Delhi Airport’s has T1 collapsed this morning and, until now, 3 people are reported dead.
For election campaigning, Modi had hurriedly “inaugurated” T1 in March even while it was under construction.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭… pic.twitter.com/mx9NQNbush
— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) June 28, 2024
Kinjarapu responded 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″, thereby trying to distance Modi from the tragedy.
Heavy rains late on Thursday night and into Friday night has left Delhi’s streets waterlogged and several residential areas flooded on Friday (June 28) morning.
Water collected after the rains in Hauz Khas, Delhi. Photo: Special arrangement
The traffic police issued advisories because of water-logging on roads and under flyovers.
Traffic Alert
Traffic is affected on Ring Road in both the carriageways from Naraina towards Moti Bagh and vice-versa due to waterlogging under Dhaula Kuan Flyover. Kindly plan your journey accordingly. pic.twitter.com/Y8X1bOXUcE— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) June 28, 2024
This rain comes after a long and severe heat wave in the city, which had reportedly led to at least 277 people dying in heat-related incident.
The Indian Meteorological Department said that the Safdarjung area in the city received 154 mm rainfall between 8:30 am on Thursday and 5:30 am on Friday. The IMD also told people to “avoid waterlogged areas” and be careful of slippery roads.
It is advised to:
1) Avoid going to areas that face water logging problem often.
2) Check for traffic congestion on your route.
3) Be updated with weather warning
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 28, 2024
Note: An earlier version of this article cited reports that said three people were killed. One person has been confirmed dead.
