Died or Killed?, Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP govt over death of COVID patients in Karnataka

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the Central government after the death of 24 patients at a hospital in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. The incident allegedly happened due to oxygen shortage, says reports.

In Twitter, sharing his condolences to the families of the deceased, Gandhi asked "Died or Killed? My heartfelt condolences to their families. How much more suffering before the 'system' wakes up,"

Gandhi also lashed out at the Central government over the pace of the COVID-19 vaccination drive and alleged policy paralysis on its part, a charge that the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government faced from the BJP.

"A policy paralysed GOI cannot secure victory over the virus. Face it. Don't fake it," Gandhi tweeted, sharing a media report that the Centre is yet to place fresh vaccine order.

As many as 24 patients including 23 suffering from COVID-19 died in Chamarajanagar due to alleged oxygen shortage in the district hospital, officials said.

Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala also hit out at the YS Yediyurappa government for the death of patients at the hospital due to lack of oxygen.

"This is murder by designed negligence of Yediyurappa Govt! Health Minister must resign," he said.

"Will CM Yediyurappa ji own moral responsibility for the deaths," Surjewala also asked.

Meanwhile, The Karnataka government has ordered a probe into the tragic death of 23 Covid patients

According to the notification issued by N. Manjunath Prasad, Principal Secretary in the Revenue Deparrtment, senior IAS officer Shivayogi Kalasad, who is also Managing Director of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), has been appointed as the inquiry officer to probe the incident, reports IANS

Describing the incident as a matter of grave concern, Prasad, who is also the member secretary of the Karnataka Disaster Management Authority, directed Kalsad to file a detailed report within three days.

"The deaths were reported after there was a fall in oxygen supply between 12 midnight and 2 a.m. At least 144 patients were being treated at the hospital when the tragedy struck," said a senior official at CIMS.

CIMS Director D.M. Sanjeev told reporters that due to a shortage of oxygen, 23 patients who were on ventilator support and needed high flow of oxygen have died.