How the theft that threw Pantelimon Hospital in Bucharest into a state of emergency unfolded and left 14 patients without oxygen

The Pantelimon Hospital in Bucharest was left without oxygen on Thursday evening, while 14 patients were dependent on oxygen, after a man broke into the hospital and stole twice from the ventilation system to take them to a scrap metal collection center.

The police detained a suspect, a 65-year-old man. Following the theft, the hospital activated an emergency protocol, considering that all Intensive Care Units in Bucharest were full, and transferring patients was not a viable option.

The hospital used reserve oxygen cylinders, and the Emergency Situations Inspectorate brought a special vehicle with oxygen reserves to the hospital. Until the cylinders were brought, patients were mechanically ventilated.

"Hospital staff carried cylinders to quickly connect the patients," a doctor told HotNews. 

The incident was aggravated by the fact that the theft was repeated, the first time being considered a malfunction.

Repeated theft at Pantelimon Hospital

The first incident occurred around 4:10 PM, when the man climbed a fence over 2 meters high and left with a copper pipe approximately 2 meters long. The police were called to the scene, as well as representatives from the oxygen company, who resolved the issue within 30 minutes. The patients did not suffer, as the reserve system was immediately put into operation.

After three hours, around 7:00 PM, the man returned for a second pipe, which he managed to steal and with which he climbed back over the fence, reports Observator.

Currently, patients continue to be ventilated with oxygen cylinders, and the main system is under repair. The hospital manager could not be reached for comments.