One dead, 8 injured after roof collapses at New Delhi airport

At least one person died and eight were injured on Friday June 28 in the partial collapse of the roof of a recently renovated terminal at New Delhi airport, India, local firefighters announced.

“Eight people were injured, one person died. Rescue operations have been completed,” Atul Gard, director of the Delhi Fire Service, told AFP.

Vehicles were crushed by falling giant steel beams on the departures plaza of Terminal 1, according to images published online.

This terminal, which is used only for domestic flights, is one of several projects inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March ahead of the general elections in the country.

All flights departing from this terminal were canceled until early afternoon, airport authorities announced.

“Due to heavy rain early this morning, part of the roof collapsed around 5 a.m.,” they said in a statement. “Rescue teams are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected,” they said.

Other airport terminals are operating normally, as are arrivals at Terminal 1.

New Delhi has been hit by heavy rains in recent days as the monsoon has reached the Indian capital.