Two more patients died following the oxygen leak incident at a Nashik hospital on Wednesday, taking the death toll to 24, PTI reported quoting the district collector. The COVID-19 patients, who were on ventilators at the Zakir Hussain municipal hospital, died due to a disruption in supply of oxygen following the leak.
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A video of oxygen purportedly leaking from the storage plant has gone viral on social media since this morning.
An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased has been announced, a statement from the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office confirmed. A high-level inquiry has also been called into the incident.
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“The leakage was spotted at the oxygen tank which was supplying oxygen to these patients,” Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope told reporters.
Some relatives of the deceased COVID-19 patients have alleged that the “lowered supply of oxygen” claimed the lives of their kin.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the loss of life in the Nashik oxygen tanker leak incident. “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,” ANI reported his statement.