Gorakhpur children death: Rahul Gandhi expresses 'deep pain,' holds UP govt responsible for tragedy

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed deep shock over the heart-wrenching incident in UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s hometown Gorakhpur in which 32 children were died due to oxygen disruption.

The Congress president said she was pained beyond words by the humongous tragedy and that her heart went out to the families of the innocent children who “fell prey to gross negligence and incorrigible misconduct on part of the authorities,” news agency PTI reported.

Urging UP govt to take stringent actions against those behind the “crime”, Sonia Gandhi asked state Congress workers to provide relief to families of victims.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his deep pain and held Yogi Adityanath government responsible for the tragedy.

“Deeply pained. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. BJP govt is responsible and should punish the negligent, who caused this tragedy,” he tweeted.

Deeply pained.My thoughts are with the families of the victims.BJP govt is responsible & should punish the negligent,who caused this tragedy https://t.co/rdwDJblJEj

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 11, 2017

Former UP CM and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has also held BJP-led UP government responsible for the incident and demanded 20 lakh compensation for families of victims.

गोरखपुर मे आक्सीजन की कमी से बच्चों की दर्दनाक मौत , सरकार ज़िम्मेदार।कठोर कार्यवाही हो, 20-20 लाख का मुआवज़ा दे सरकार ।

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 11, 2017

Read Here | Full coverage on Gorakhpur hospital deaths

At least 32 children including new born babies died at Baba Raghav Das Medical College hospital in Gorakhpur due to oxygen disruption over non-payments of dues.

Out of 32, 17 children died in the neo-natal ward, 5 in AES (acute encephalitis syndrome) ward and 8 in the general ward. Two Children died later in the day.

It is being said that oxygen supply was disrupted by the provider because of non-payment of dues worth Rs. 69 lakhs despite several reminders. According to the sources, technicians had informed hospital authorities about the shortage of oxygen but it fell on deaf ears.

The incident triggered a spate of reactions from the opposition parties, with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress seeking the resignation of the state health minister.