Maharashtra: 24 patients dead after oxygen leaks from tanker outside hospital in Nashik

Photo used for representational purpose

At least 24 patients died on Wednesday due to the interrupted supply of oxygen at a civic hospital for COVID-19 patients in Nashik in Maharashtra following the leakage from an oxygen storage plant, Nashik Mayor Satish Kulkarni said.

There was no negligence by the Corporation. A high-level committee has been set up to probe the incident, he added.

The incident took place in the Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital run by the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), which is among the biggest civic bodies in the state, and one of the worst Covid-19 hotspots in the state.

The officials are present at the spot and an operation to contain the leak is underway.

"This is an unfortunate incident. I spoke to Nashik municipal commissioner who has informed me that the situation is under control now. I'll be going to Nashik soon. Nashik Guardian Min Chhagan Bhujbal has already gone there," said health minister Rajesh Tope.

Even as stunned relatives slammed the civic authorities, NMC Municipal Commissioner Kailash Jadhav ordered a probe into the incident and assured action against all found guilty of lapses.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased. "An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs will be provided to kin of the deceased. A high-level inquiry has been ordered to probe the Nashik incident, stated the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

BJP's Leader of Opposition (Council) Pravin Darekar attacked the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and demanded lodging of cases under culpable homicide against those found responsible.

"What happened in Nashik is terrible. I demand that the other patients be helped and shifted if needed. We demand a detailed inquiry," Former Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said.

To control the outrage and uproar building up after the incident, the Nashik Police tightened security in and around the hospital premises.

Condoling the loss of life in the Nashik oxygen tanker leak incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Distressed to hear the news of the accident. I express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this incident."

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief. "The tragedy at a hospital in Nashik because of oxygen tank leakage is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. Condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour," he said.

Maharashtra Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshiyari also condoled the loss of lives. He said, "Deeply anguished to know about death of COVID-19 patients in unfortunate incident of Oxygen tanker leakage at Nashik's Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital. I convey my condolences to next of those who lost lives & speedy recovery to affected persons.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condoled the death of COVID-19 patients at the Nashik hospital. In a tweet he said, "The news of patients' death at Nashik's Zakir Hussain Hospital is extremely tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the aggrieved families. I appeal to the state government and party workers to provide all possible assistance."

Expressing his distress, President Ram Nath Kovind said in a tweet, "I am deeply distressed by the unfortunate incident of patients dying due to gas leak in Nashik, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this incident. I wish all other patients a quick recovery."

Several states are facing a shortage of medical oxygen, especially Maharashtra being the worst-hit state by COVID-19.

After recording a dip on Monday, daily infections crossed 60,000 in Maharashtra on Tuesday, while deaths shot up beyond 500, a first for the state. Mumbai's cases remained under 10,000, and the city saw fewer than 40 fatalities. The state recorded 62,097 new cases, taking the total tally to 39.01 lakh. With the addition of 519 deaths, the overall count has touched 61,343.

The mortality rate of Maharashtra was about 1.55 per cent, though rising cases have pushed up the death data. The number of deaths due to other causes was 1,696. These are the cases where patients were positive before testing negative but later died of other complications.

(With agency inputs)