Power cut leaves 5 dead at Madurai hospital: Police

However, Dean Vanitha said the patients, who were in the ICU, died of natural causes. The dean said it was a sheer coincidence that the electricity supply was disrupted at that time. 

''There is no denying powercut and glitches with the generator. But, the ventilators had a two-hour power back-up, there was uninterrupted oxygen supply to the patients needing critical care. The deceased patients were already in a serious condition when admitted. It has nothing to do with the powercut or oxygen supply. Two patients died due to cardio-pulmonary arrest common among people with head injuries, one patient succumbed to other ailment,'' she said.

On the other hand, relatives of the deceased alleged the ventilators were not working properly.

Refuting the charges, Director (Medical Education) Dr A Edwin Joe said the ventilators were alright as these had built-in batteries.

Among the five who died were Malliga (58), Palaniammal (60) and Ravindran (52).

Relatives of the patients also staged a dharna.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sasimohan, dean Vanitha and medical superintendent Raja held talks with the bereaved families.