The Mark Hospital in Noida’s Sector 66 has been sealed, and its licence suspended after two oxygen pipeline explosions occurred within just 15 hours. The alarming incidents took place on Sunday and Monday, prompting immediate action by health authorities. Fortunately, there were no casualties, though several patients had to be shifted to other hospitals for safety.
According to officials, the first explosion happened around noon on Sunday near the intensive care unit (ICU) of the 49-bed hospital. Preliminary reports suggest that the blast was caused by a short circuit close to the oxygen pipeline. The explosion caused panic among patients, attendants, and hospital staff, though the fire was quickly brought under control before it could spread.
The following day, a second explosion occurred in the same hospital, this time in the evening. The repeated incident raised serious concerns about the hospital’s maintenance and safety standards. Soon after the second blast, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Dr. Narendra Kumar, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Dr. Chandan Soni, and Health Department Advisor Shweta Khurana reached the site to assess the situation. A team of officials inspected the damaged sections and discussed emergency measures to prevent further risks.
Following the inspection, the health department ordered the immediate sealing of the hospital and suspended its operating licence, citing gross negligence on the part of the hospital management. The decision was made to ensure public safety and to allow for a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosions.
After the second explosion, health authorities quickly moved several patients to nearby medical facilities. Most patients were transferred to Kailash Hospital and Om Hospital, both located in Noida. Officials confirmed that one patient remains under intensive care, while two others were referred to a Delhi hospital for specialised treatment. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported in either incident.
A health official said that information about the remaining patients is still being collected, and the health department is ensuring that all admitted patients are receiving appropriate care at the new facilities. The families of the patients expressed relief that the authorities acted quickly to relocate them before any further danger occurred.
The Deputy CMO, Dr. Chandan Soni, confirmed that a joint committee has been formed to investigate the matter in detail. “The hospital has been sealed, and its licence suspended due to the management’s negligence. We will ensure that the investigation identifies the lapses and responsibilities at every level,” he said.
According to early findings, the first explosion occurred due to an electrical short circuit near the ICU, which may have affected the hospital’s oxygen system. The second explosion on Monday evening is suspected to have been caused by residual pressure in the damaged pipeline or improper repairs after the first incident. Officials are waiting for a detailed technical report to confirm the exact reasons behind both blasts.
Local witnesses said that the sound of the explosion caused panic in the surrounding area. “We heard a loud noise and saw smoke coming from the hospital building. Soon, ambulances and fire vehicles arrived. Many patients were brought out on stretchers,” said a nearby shopkeeper.
The hospital, which had been operating for several years in the Phase 3 area, reportedly had around 40 patients admitted at the time of the first explosion. The health department has directed that all equipment and records from the hospital be examined to determine whether safety protocols were followed. Officials have also instructed all private hospitals in the region to check their oxygen systems and ensure that similar incidents do not occur elsewhere.
Officials from the district administration stated that such negligence in handling oxygen pipelines could have led to a major tragedy. The hospital management is likely to face strict action once the probe is complete. “We have zero tolerance for lapses that put patients’ lives at risk. The hospital’s failure to ensure basic safety checks, even after the first explosion, is extremely serious,” said a senior health department officer.
Experts say that oxygen pipeline systems require regular inspections and maintenance, especially in facilities with intensive care units. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for oxygen infrastructure in hospitals increased sharply, but many smaller facilities reportedly did not upgrade their systems as per the latest safety standards.
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The Noida district administration has also instructed the fire department to conduct fresh audits of all private hospitals’ oxygen storage and delivery systems. Officials plan to issue new safety guidelines to ensure that pipelines, cylinders, and electrical systems are properly maintained.
Residents in the area have expressed concerns over safety in private hospitals and called for stricter monitoring. “It’s frightening that such an incident could happen twice in 15 hours. The authorities must check all hospitals to prevent another disaster,” said a resident from Sector 66.
As the investigation continues, Mark Hospital will remain sealed until further orders. The health department’s joint committee will submit its findings in the coming days, identifying the cause of the blasts and recommending corrective action.
Though the incident did not result in any loss of life, it has raised serious questions about the enforcement of hospital safety standards in Noida. Officials said that steps are being taken to ensure accountability so that such repeated negligence does not put patients at risk again.
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