"Investigation started into Delhi Airport canopy collapse incident": Civil Aviation Minister

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Friday that an investigation has been started into the Delhi Airport canopy collapse incident at Terminal 1.

"Investigation has begun," the Minister told ANI.

"We will also bring experts from the department to investigate this. Action will be taken based on the report that will come...," he added.

Following the incident, the Civil Aviation Minister also said that all Airport buildings across the Country would be inspected.

"We will also inspect all airport buildings across the country to ensure that this doesn't happen again. A review has been called today...We are taking care of the injured who are undergoing treatment at hospitals...," the Minister added.

Earlier in the day, Minister Rammohan Naidu visited Safdarjung and AIIMS hospitals in the national capital and met with those who were injured on Friday.

"I have also met the injured who are admitted at AIIMS. It is the commitment of the Government that whenever such a crisis has occurred, we have worked hard diligently and restored normalcy...What happened in T1 is unfortunate but this will be investigated," the minister said.

Doctors at the AIIMS Trauma Centre said that a 28-year-old man who was injured in the morning incident and admitted to the facility for treatment was currently in a "stable condition."

"We got the information at 10:30 am that we got one patient from Delhi Airport. He is a 28-year-old and his vitals are stable. And he is responding and talking. He has got a small cut over the head region. We are further investigating him. He is under observation," Dr Shivanand Gamanagatti, Acting Chief, of AIIMS trauma centre told ANI.

"Currently, he is stable. Not in a critical condition," Dr Gamanagatti said.

He also said that the Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu also inquired about the situation of the patient during his visit to the Hospital.

On being asked about the possibility of other patients coming here for treatment, he said, "Right now we do not have any such information. However ...we were informed we might receive three to four more patients".

Naidu also inspected the Delhi Airport today and announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of the person who lost his life and Rs 3 lakh each to those injured in the incident.

"...we are taking this incident seriously...," Naidu said.

Meanwhile, all flight operations from Terminal 1 have been suspended till further notice, said the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

"Heavy rain in early morning today has resulted in the collapse of the canopy of Delhi Airport Terminal 1. As a result flights to and from Terminal 1 have been closed till further notice. Alternate arrangements are being made for the smooth operation of the flights," read a statement from the ministry.