Early morning chaos ensued at Delhi airport (IGI) today as a portion of Terminal 1’s canopy collapsed, resulting in tragic consequences. A taxi driver lost his life, and six others were injured when the roof structure gave way amid heavy rainfall.
The incident occurred around 3:30 am local time, impacting the pick-up and drop area where several cars were parked. Airport staff members described harrowing scenes as the collapse unfolded unexpectedly. Arvind Goswami, who was on duty near Gate No. 1, recounted how debris fell suddenly, injuring him and causing a momentary loss of consciousness.
One of the injured individuals in the roof collapse at Terminal 1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport earlier today remarked “It seems like I have escaped from the jaws of death,”
“At around 3.15 am, we were pumping out rainwater that was seeping inside when suddenly I saw the ceiling of the building falling. When the glass broke, it fell on me, causing a severe head injury. There were many people working in the area at the time of the collapse,” said the 25-year-old.
Emergency services quickly responded, with injured individuals rushed to nearby Medanta Hospital for treatment. Reports indicate that iron beams fell on vehicles, compounding the damage caused by the collapse.
Usha Rangnani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI), attributed the incident to the severe weather conditions, confirming that the canopy spanning from Gate No. 1 to Gate No. 2 had collapsed, affecting multiple vehicles.
In response to the safety threat posed by the incident, authorities have suspended all departures from Terminal 1, with check-in counters closed until further notice. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse, while efforts to ensure structural integrity and safety protocols at the airport continue.
The aftermath of the Delhi airport roof collapse underscores the vulnerability of infrastructure during extreme weather events and the critical need for robust safety measures to protect airport personnel and visitors alike.