Torrential Rains Cause Roof Collapse at Delhi Airport Terminal 1, Resulting in One Death and Multiple Injuries
Early in the morning on June 28, heavy rainfall in Delhi led to a tragic incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 1. A portion of the terminal's roof collapsed around 05:00 local time, resulting in the death of one person and injuring at least six others. This incident has significantly affected the operations of low-cost airlines operating from this terminal.
In response to the emergency, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, is personally overseeing the situation. First responders quickly arrived at the scene to evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals. The collapsed section of the roof was part of an older structure that had been in use since 2009, not the newly inaugurated terminal.
Minister Kinjarapu emphasized the gravity of the situation and announced that the affected airport structures would undergo thorough examinations. The family of the deceased will receive compensation of ₹2 million (approximately $24,000), while the injured will receive ₹300,000 (approximately $3,600) each.
The roof collapse involved the fall of roof sheets and support beams, which landed on cars parked in the pick-up and drop-off area. Delhi Fire Services were alerted about the incident around 05:30 local time.
Flight operations at Terminal 1, which serves domestic flights for low-cost carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet, have been temporarily disrupted. Both airlines have canceled several flights as a result. IndiGo informed passengers already inside the terminal that they could board their flights, while alternative arrangements would be made for those who could not. IndiGo stated on X (formerly known as Twitter):
"Terminal 1 update - Due to the unforeseen situation at T1 this morning, all flights from #DelhiAirport T1 have been cancelled until 0000 hrs, June 29. Further, flights due to arrive at T1, will now arrive either at T2 or T3 in #Delhi."
IndiGo has also offered alternate flight options or full refunds to affected passengers, though it noted that response times might be longer than usual due to high contact center volumes. SpiceJet has similarly informed its passengers of cancellations and is attempting to reroute T1 flights to Terminal 3, which primarily handles full-service carriers and international flights.
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), the busiest in India and one of the busiest in the world, is managed by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a joint venture involving GMR Airports Limited, the Airports Authority of India, and Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.