DHAKA: At least 30 children have died in a hospital of Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur after 'disruption' of oxygen supply. 

They were admitted to a hospital and were on oxygen support, reports suggest. The oxygen supply was allegedly disrupted since the company supplying oxygen was not paid bills on time by the hospital, reports the Times Now. 

“30 children lost their lives due to encephalitis in last 48 hours at Gorakhpur's BRD Hospital,” District Magistrate, Rajeev Rautela has stated. 

“Supply of liquid oxygen was disrupted yesterday due to a pending payment. We had requested suppliers not to disrupt supply.”

These deaths have taken place over the past three days. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had visited the hospital just two days ago.

Times Now has accessed the letter from the oxygen supplying company for medical college Gorakhpur which had alerted authorities that if payment is not done, they will not be able to procure oxygen from their end. The letter had also warned the hospital that the oxygen supply could be cut if the dues are not paid.

The Uttar Pradesh government, however, has denied that the deaths were caused by the disruption of oxygen. A release by the state says that the deaths were caused due to “other various reasons” and not due to the disruption of oxygen supply.

BDST: 2120 HRS, AUG 11, 2017
AP