Thieves threatened the oxygen supply at Port Elizabeth's Dora Nginza hospital when they stole a copper feed line on Wednesday night.

A staffer said a quantity of oxygen leaked from a storage tank before the break was discovered.

Though there was no time when the hospital was without oxygen, it could have run out had the leak not been noticed.

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the theft, the second in four months, had been reported to police, and workers were trying to replace the pipe.

"It's a very unfortunate incident that puts the lives of patients at risk and makes it extremely difficult for doctors and nurses to perform their duties," he said. - Sapa