New Delhi: Four patients died in a government hospital here due to lack of oxygen in the ventilator, hospital sources said. The kin of the victims staged a protest at Sushrut Trauma Centre.

"Four people died in the morning in Sushrut Trauma Centre but the reason for their death is yet to be investigated," Deputy Commissioner of Police Sindhu Pillai told IANS.

The details are awaited, she said.

According to hospital sources, the deaths happened due to a fault in the oxygen supply. "We are verifying it," said a staff member.

The incident came to light around 6.45 a.m. Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Javed, 20, Rajkumar, 35, and Rehana, 36. The fourth person - in his late 30s - is yet to be identified.

The victims belonged to different places in Delhi.

"A team of five doctors has been deputed to conduct an inquire into the incident. Police are waiting for the hospital inquiry report to register a case," said a police officer.

Initial inquiry revealed that the centralised oxygen supply of the hospital was restricted due to the fault of an operator which led to the death of the four people, said the officer.

A private company had installed the centralised oxygen plant in the hospital and it also operates the equipment.

Police had so far not received any formal complaint from the hospital, said the officer adding that the hospital inquiry report was being awaited before registering the case.