A bad episode occurred at the Zakir Hussain Municipality hospital in Nashik. 22 covid-19 patients who were dependent on ventilators died due to the shortage of oxygen. The incident happened due to a leak in the oxygen tank which halted the regular supply for 30 minutes. 

"As per current information, 22 people have died due to the interrupted supply of oxygen at the Zakir Hussain municipal hospital," district collector Suraj Mandhare told press.

The hospital is a Covid-dedicated facility, around 150 patients who were there are oxygen dependent or on ventilators. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope promised the government will order a probe into the matter and there will be a thorough investigation.

"As per the information available with us, patients who were on ventilators at the hospital in Nashik have died. The leakage was spotted at the oxygen tank which was supplying oxygen to these patients. The interrupted supply could be linked to the deaths of the patients in the hospital," Mr Tope said.

"We will issue a statement later after the investigation is over," he added.

Fire department was called for the emergency to stop the leak of the oxygen from the tank. Visuals shows a rapid leak in the tank outside the hospital. It caused panic in the surroundings of the hospital as resident feared a harmful gas leak. Videos show water being sprayed to control the leak; the firefighting team also wore protective gear to go in to stop the leak.

Around 31 patients out of 80 who need oxygen have been shifted to other hospitals.