At least 22 patients at the Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik in Maharashtra lost their lives on Wednesday after an oxygen tank at the facility leaked.
The tragic accident comes as multiple states, including Maharashtra, scramble to address rampant shortages in oxygen supply amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to reports, there were at least 150 patients at the hospital requiring oxygen assistance. Prasar Bharati quoted the Nashik Municipal Corporation commissioner as saying, "23 patients were on ventilator...” It is yet unclear whether all the dead patients were COVID-19 positive.
The leakage occurred as an oxygen tanker was supplying oxygen to the main tank at the hospital. The patients are believed to have died of oxygen deprivation.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope was quoted by ANI as saying, "Due to the valves’ leakage of the tanker in Nashik, there was massive oxygen leakage. There must definitely have been an impact on the hospital." Tope said the government would release more information in a press note.
Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA) Minister Dr. Rajendra Shingane was quoted by ANI as saying, "We've ordered an inquiry as well. Those who are responsible will not be spared."
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Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told ANI “What happened in Nashik is terrible. I demand that the other patients be helped and shifted if needed. We demand a detailed inquiry.” NDTV reported, “Around 31 patients out of 80 who need oxygen have been shifted to other hospitals.”
(With inputs from Pooja Jaiswal)
