At least 24 people, including several COVID-19 positive patients, lost their lives on Monday in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar District Hospital due to an alleged shortage of medical oxygen. The officials, however, have denied that the patients died due to oxygen shortage but said that a probe has been ordered into the incident.

"It's not appropriate to say that all the 24 deaths happened due to oxygen shortage. These deaths had happened from Sunday morning to this morning. The oxygen shortage happened in the wee hours of Monday -- from 12.30 AM to 2.30 AM," Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister S Suresh Kumar said.

"All the people who died may not have died due to oxygen shortage," he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has called the Chamarajanagar deputy commissioner to take a stock of the situation. He has also decided to hold a crucial cabinet meet on Tuesday to review the COVID situation in the state.

At least 24 people, including several COVID-19 positive patients, lost their lives on Monday in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar District Hospital due to an alleged shortage of medical oxygen. The officials, however, have denied that the patients died due to oxygen shortage but said that a probe has been ordered into the incident.

"It's not appropriate to say that all the 24 deaths happened due to oxygen shortage. These deaths had happened from Sunday morning to this morning. The oxygen shortage happened in the wee hours of Monday -- from 12.30 AM to 2.30 AM," Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister S Suresh Kumar said.

"All the people who died may not have died due to oxygen shortage," he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has called the Chamarajanagar deputy commissioner to take a stock of the situation. He has also decided to hold a crucial cabinet meet on Tuesday to review the COVID situation in the state.