The roof of a terminal building at New Delhi’s international airport collapsed in heavy rains early on Friday, killing one person months after Narendra Modi inaugurated a refurbishment project.

Images posted online showed vehicles crushed under giant steel girders at the departure forecourt of Terminal 1, one of several projects formally launched by Mr Modi, India’s prime minister, in March ahead of the country’s general election.

The terminal is used for domestic flights only and airport authorities said all departing flights had been cancelled until early afternoon.

“Due to heavy rain since early this morning, a portion of the canopy… collapsed around 5am,” they said in an online statement.

“Emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected.”

Other terminals were operating as normal, as were arrivals at Terminal 1.

“Eight people have been injured, one person is dead. Rescue operations have been completed,” Atul Garg, the director of the Delhi fire services, told AFP.