More than 20 Indian COVID-19 patients die after oxygen tanker springs a leak, nearly 300,000 new cases as coronavirus ‘storm’ rages

At least 24 COVID-19 patients in western India have died after the oxygen supply to their ventilators ran out, amid a nationwide shortage of the gas and a surge in infections.

Maharashtra State Health Minister Rajesh Tope confirmed the deaths at a hospital in Nashik city and said the hospital’s oxygen supply ran out because a tanker refilling it suffered a leak. Oxygen was running scarce throughout the country.

“The leakage was spotted at the tank supplying oxygen for these patients,” Mr Tope said.

“The interrupted supply could be linked to the…