At least 24 COVID-19 patients died due to lack of oxygen in Maharashtra’s Nashik on Wednesday after an oxygen tanker leaked outside a hospital, halting the oxygen supply for around 30 minutes, PTI reported.

The Death toll in Nashik hospital oxygen tragedy rises to 24 as two more patients die, PTI quoted the Nashik district collector as saying. 

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This comes at a time when the country is strugling to deal with a shortage in medical supplies, particularly oxygen and vaccines, with the second wave of COVID-19 crushing the healthcare infrastructure.

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Here is everything we know about the leak: 

– The leak happened at the Zakir Hussain municipal hospital.

– The deceased include at least 11 men and 11 women, all of whom were on ventilator

– All the patients were on ventilators and in need of a constant supply of oxygen.

– The spread of oxygen in the surroundings caused a panic. Fire tenders rushed to the spot to control the leak. The firefighters used water to control the leak.

– A number of other patients in need of oxygen have been shifted to other hospitals.  

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– 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. 

– Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said he has spoken with the Nashik municipal commissioner, who said that the situation is now under control. He also said he will visit the city soon to review the situation.  

– Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the incident. “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 tweeted. 

– Amit Shah has also expressed his “distress” about the incident. “I express my deepest condolences on this irreparable loss of those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray to God for the efficiency of all the other patients,” he tweeted.