Tirupati: AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed profound grief over the death of 11 patients at Ruia hospital in Tirupati on Monday at 8 pm, disruption of oxygen supply for some time.

YS Jagan ordered an inquiry into the incident, and directed the officials to ensure that this kind of tragedies does not recur. YS Jagan instructed them to monitor the oxygen supply situation at every hospital in the State round-the-clock and take technical help from the experts. He stressed that the focus should also be on maintenance and not merely on oxygen transportation and supply.

Chittoor District Collector M Hari Narayanan told to the media about the incident that an oxygen tanker coming to the hospital from Chennai in Tamil Nadu was delayed. The authorities in the meantime used bulk cylinders to supply oxygen to patients who were on ventilators in the ICU, he said.

The incident occurred around 8-8.30 p.m. Due to oxygen pressure issues, 11 patients who were on ventilator support lost their lives. This happened in a span of five minutes. The oxygen tanker arrived and the situation was quickly brought under control, the collector said.

The Collector Hari Narayanan said that nearly 30 doctors were working to stabilize the other patients following the incident. He rushed to the hospital, assured everyone that the problem was solved and there was enough oxygen now.

Further, another tanker is scheduled to arrive in the morning with additional oxygen supply. Collector clarified that it is not a bigger tragedy was averted as the oxygen tanker arrived in the nick of time. There is no issue now and there is no need to worry. Everyone is safe and clarified it was not a technical issue.