Akhilesh calls for immediate action over 30 children's death in Gorakhpur

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has hit out at the state government over the deaths of 30 children at the state-run Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur in last two days and called for strong action.

Akhilesh pointed out that strict action must be taken against the government. He also took to his Twitter page to express grief, writing, "Families of the dead were sent off with the bodies, they did not even do autopsies... extremely unfortunate".

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Rajeev Rautela confirmed the death of 30 children in the last two days and seven deaths in the last 24 hours.

He said that 17 children had died in the neo-natal ward, five in the ward meant for patients suffering from acute encephalitis syndrome and eight in the general ward.

Rautela further said that an inquiry committee has been set up to ascertain the exact causes of the deaths and it has been asked to submit its report by tomorrow evening. Action will be taken against those responsible.

He also said that alternative arrangements had been made from neighbouring Sant Kabir Nagar district to ensure availability of liquid oxygen for the hospital. At present, there are 50 oxygen cylinders and 100 to 150 more will be reaching soon.

Yesterday, the BRD medical college recorded more than 30 children death due to encephalitis in a span of 48 hours.

Chief Minister Adityanath had warned officials of strict action if any irregularity was detected in the treatment of the patients.