NEW DELHI, India, June 29: Tragedy struck early Friday morning at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, India's busiest airport, when part of the terminal's roof collapsed amidst heavy thunderstorms and rains. According to officials from Delhi's fire department, the incident resulted in the death of one person and left eight others injured.

The collapse occurred around 5 a.m. local time in the departure area of Terminal 1, which primarily handles domestic flights. Reports indicated that a cab driver lost his life when a pillar supporting the roof structure fell onto his vehicle. Emergency responders swiftly transported the injured to hospitals for treatment.

Images circulating on social media and local television showed a significant portion of the terminal's overhang buckling onto the pavement outside, with several vehicles trapped beneath collapsed pillars.

India's Meteorological Department reported near-record rainfall in Delhi over the preceding 24 hours, totaling close to nine inches. This intense weather likely contributed to the structural failure at the airport.

As a result of the incident, all departures from Terminal 1 were suspended, affecting more than 40 flights. Major low-cost carriers like Indigo and Spice Jet relocated their operations to other terminals within the airport complex.

Terminal 1 had recently undergone renovations and expansions to accommodate up to 40 million passengers annually, according to airport officials. The collapse has raised concerns about infrastructure resilience during India's monsoon season, which often tests public infrastructure across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced criticism from opposition leaders, who accused him of rushing the terminal expansion unveiling earlier this year. However, the Minister of Civil Aviation clarified that the collapse occurred in an older section of the airport, not in the recently upgraded area.

The incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport adds to recent concerns over infrastructure safety in India, following multiple bridge collapses in Bihar state in the past 10 days. Issues with newly constructed infrastructure, including cracks and waterlogging, have also been reported in Delhi, raising alarms about public safety.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the terminal roof collapse as efforts focus on ensuring the safety of airport operations and passengers amidst ongoing monsoon challenges.