One dead and eight injured as roof collapses at New Delhi airport during monsoon rains
One person has died and eight have been injured after heavy rain caused a partial roof collapse at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The incident happened at around 5am inside the domestic departure terminal at the Indian airport as heavy monsoon conditions swept the capital city.
All flights from Terminal 1, of three, were suspended on Friday morning as the clear up operation got underway and rescuers tried to save anyone trapped under debris.
Shocking images showed how metal beams fell, smashing into cars on the approach to the busy airport.
It has been reported that one of the rescued was a person trapped inside their car after one of the support structures fell on it.
At least eight flights were cancelled and 47 were delayed while departures from the airport were running late by an average of 40 minutes
The airport area received about 148.5 millimetres of rain over three hours in the early morning, more than the average for all of June, according to India's weather office. Experts blame climate change for extreme heat followed by heavy rain.
Around 10-12 cars were damaged in the incident, said one of the workers at the airport.
"I first missed my flight in the morning due to floods,” said Asif Ali, a businessman standing outside Terminal 1.
“Then my 2.10pm Indigo flight to Bangalore has been cancelled. I have to urgently reach Bangalore for an official meeting.”
Many other parts of Delhi were flooded as well, including a tunnel opposite the venue where India hosted its G20 summit in September, and cars trapped in thigh-deep water.
A wall in southwest Delhi collapsed amid the downpour with labourers feared trapped in the debris, said a fire service spokesperson.
Metro services were affected and traffic snarls were reported from several parts of the city while several residents also complained of power cuts.
India's home ministry will review Delhi's preparedness for the monsoon with the local government, weather officials and other city authorities on Saturday.
