The roof of the Delhi airport collapsed due to heavy rain, killing one person

The roof of the terminal at the Indian city's main airport partially collapsed due to heavy rain, killing one person and canceling several flights.

Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu told reporters at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi that the incident occurred on Friday morning and authorities evacuated Terminal 1 of Loulou and the canceled flights until 14:00 (08:30 GMT), citing the loss of life. .

 Delhi Fire Department Chief Atul Garg said at least eight people were injured in the collapse of the terminal's evacuation area.

Publicity photos showed a taxi tied under a broken metal pole at the entrance to the terminal, which is usually used to transport domestic flights operated by low-cost airlines. IndiGo and SpiceJet. Airport officials said the crash was caused by "heavy rain" at 5am (23:30 GMT Thursday).

"Emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical care to those affected," authorities said in a statement.

In addition to the roof, several support pillars collapsed, damaging cars in the loading area and taking over the terminal area, the Press Trust of India said.

The India Meteorological Department said around 148.5 millimeters of rain fell in the airport in three hours in the morning, more than the rain in June. Many other parts of the city were flooded when the annual rainy season arrived after a long heat wave. The airport collapse comes just months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the airport's renovation works. This airport is considered one of its flagship infrastructure projects.

There are ongoing concerns about the country's safety and infrastructure standards. Naidu told reporters at the scene that the roof that collapsed was part of the old building that was inaugurated in 2009 and the building completed by Modi "is just on the other side".

The minister said an investigation into the crash had been ordered. Opposition politicians criticized the prime minister after the incident, accusing him of conducting "interventions" ahead of elections due earlier this month.

"Will the chief executive be held accountable for examples of bad construction and corruption?" said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary of the opposition Congress party.