Delhi airport canopy inaugurated in 2009 collapses; one dead, several injured

Delhi airport canopy collapse serious incident, DGCA will probe, says Union Minister

June 28, 2024

Roof collapses at Delhi airport amid heavy rain

On Friday, at least one person was killed and eight others injured after a canopy of Terminal-1 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport collapsed on cars amid heavy rain.

Many vehicles, including cabs, were damaged in the incident reported to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) around 5.00 a.m. The canopy sheet and the support beams collapsed, damaging the cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal.

During the rescue operations, a driver was taken out from a cab on which an iron beam had fallen.

The NDRF officials, who reached the spot, were involved in the rescue operations.

All departures from Terminal-1 have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters closed as a “safety measure“, a Delhi airport spokesperson said. Terminal-1 has only domestic flight operations.

The spokesperson also said that all departing flights from T1 of IndiGo and SpiceJet are cancelled till 2 p.m. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said, “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 extricate those affected and provide medical attention.”

“As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the DIAL spokesperson further said.

Following the canopy collapse Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu rushed to the spot to inspect and oversee rescue operations.

The Minister said that the Delhi airport roof collapse was a “very serious incident” and DGCA will look into the matter thoroughly.

Amid the political slugfest that erupted following the collapse of the canopy at Terminal-1 of Delhi’s IGI Airport on Friday, Kinjarapu said the structure was built in 2009.

Pointing out the misinformation being spread about the inauguration of the structure, he said, “This structure was built in 2009.”

Kinjarapu said on X, “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.”

“We have asked the Delhi International Airport Limited to do a verification and inspection from their side. But we are not leaving it up to them. From the Ministry, we have the DGCA, which underlooks the safety aspect, which will be supervising this inspection and will submit its report. From the ministry side, I can assure you that this is taken as a serious issue, not just in this airport but all across the country, with similar structures.”

He said that all the airports in the country will be checked. “We will conduct a thorough check on all the airports that come under our purview… we will make the necessary report and see if there is a requirement for an independent body for this.”

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