Indian police are investigating the deaths of 49 children who died at a hospital In Farrukhabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
At least 30 children are thought to have died from “perinatal asphyxia”, a condition caused by reduced oxygen levels during childbirth, at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Last month, at least 160 minors died at a Gorakhpur hospital, Baba Raghav Das, also in Uttar Pradesh. Allegedly some of those deaths were also caused by lack of oxygen.
Senior government officials, however, deny that was the case in either hospital.
A government report in the most recent investigation blamed 30 deaths on medical staff, which prompted the launch of a police investigation.
The Press Trust of India reported that the 30 died whilst in intensive care at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.
The news agency said that a further 19 newborn deaths were not part of the report by the government.
All 49 deaths happened between 21st July and 20th August.
Police said that in the case of the Farrukhabad hospital, staff “did not insert oxygen pipes [into infants’ windpipes] after birth”.
