India is investigating the deaths of eight women after undergoing sterilization surgery at a health camp organized by the government in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.  Thirty other women were admitted to hospital and doctors have said several are in a serious condition.

“Since Monday eight women have died and 64 are in various hospitals,” said Sonmani Borah, a government official in the state of Chhattisgarh where the sterilisation camp was held.

Officials are denying allegations of negligence, but people in Pendari village in Bilaspur district say the procedures were were done hurriedly.  They report that 83 women went through tubectomy operations on Saturday – all performed by just one doctor in just 6 hours.