Saudi Arabia sends liquid oxygen to India in Covid-19 emergency

Saudi oxygen supply shipment co-ordinated with Adani and Linde groups

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Saudi Arabia sent 80 tonnes of liquid oxygen to help India cope with a shortage after it on Sunday reported a fifth day of record cases, logging 349,691 new coronavirus infections in one day.

Saudi Arabia’s oxygen supply shipment has been co-ordinated with India’s Adani and Linde groups.

"We are on an urgent mission to secure oxygen supplies from across the world," Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani tweeted.

"This first shipment of 4 Iso cryogenic tanks with 80 tonnes of liquid oxygen is now on its way from Dammam to Mundra.

“Indeed, actions speak louder than words."

He said the Adani Group was also securing 5,000 medical-grade oxygen cylinders from Linde Saudi Arabia.

India's second wave of Covid-19 overwhelms country

India's second wave of Covid-19 overwhelms country

“These too will be quickly sent to India. I am thankful to our ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Ausaf Sayeed, for assisting us in this regard,” Mr Adani said.

Hospitals across the country are turning away patients because of a lack of oxygen, as India continues to report the world's highest daily number of coronavirus cases and increasing deaths.

Saudi Arabia began flying oxygen tanks as India diverted oxygen supplies from industrial use to hospitals.

“Our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Health, kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for all their help, support and co-operation,” the Indian embassy in Riyadh tweeted on Saturday.

Indian residents, celebrities and social media influencers took to Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter to help arrange oxygen supplies, blood donations, plasma and other healthcare needs with the help of local residents.

Hospitals pleaded with government authorities to help arrange oxygen supplies for Covid-19 patients.

New Delhi reported 50 deaths at Jaipur Golden Hospital and Sri Ganga Ram Hospital on Friday, caused by a lack of oxygen, bringing the total number of deaths in the capital to 348 in 24 hours.

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of New Delhi, said “something disastrous will happen”, as the city needs 480 tonnes of oxygen every day but only received 297 on Friday.