Twin Explosions Within 15 Hours
Noida: Panic swept through a private hospital in Sector 66, Noida, on Sunday afternoon after an oxygen pipeline exploded twice within a span of 15 hours. The blasts were reportedly caused by a short circuit near the intensive care unit (ICU). Eight ICU patients narrowly escaped unharmed, and no casualties were reported, officials confirmed.
Patients Shifted After Second Blast
The incident occurred at Mark Hospital, a 49-bed facility in the Phase 3 area. Following the second explosion, all admitted patients were immediately shifted to other hospitals as a precautionary measure, authorities said.
Short Circuit Suspected as Cause
According to a PTI report, the first explosion occurred around noon on Sunday due to a short circuit near the ICU located on the ground floor. The wiring fault caused overheating in the area, triggering the oxygen pipeline blast, officials added.
Health Officials Rush to the Spot
After the second blast, senior health officials—including Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Narendra Kumar, Deputy CMO Dr. Chandan Soni, and Health Department Advisor Shweta Khurana—reached the hospital to assess the situation and oversee safety measures.
Hospital Sealed, Licence Suspended
DCMO Dr. Soni stated that the hospital was sealed, and its licence suspended due to negligence on the part of the hospital management. Authorities highlighted that such incidents reflect serious lapses in maintenance and safety protocols.
Hospital Director Explains the Incident
Speaking to HT, hospital director Anuj Tripathi said staff members were instructed to immediately switch off the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) of the ICU. He stated that the short circuit occurred inside the false ceiling, which heated the adjacent oxygen pipe, leading to a high-pressure leakage. Eight ICU patients were quickly moved to another ward, with portable oxygen cylinders used to maintain the supply.
Fire Department Alerted, Services Resumed Temporarily
Tripathi added that the short circuit was extinguished using a fire extinguisher, and the fire department was alerted as a precaution. After inspection and temporary repairs, emergency services were briefly resumed before the hospital was sealed by authorities.
Patients Shifted to Nearby Hospitals, Probe Launched
Several patients were transferred to Kailash Hospital and Om Hospital. One patient remains in the ICU, while two others have been referred to Delhi. Officials are gathering details about the remaining patients.
A joint committee has been formed to investigate the incident and determine accountability.
