This is truly shocking.

An in-depth investigation is being launched by authorities in Mexico after allegations were made that children fighting cancer were given "distilled water" instead of chemo medicine.

The claims have been made by governor Miguel Angel Yunes Linares.

He believes the fake drugs had been used in state hospitals under his predecessor Javier Duarte who stepped down after allegations of corruption.

The BBC reports that Mr Duarte (pictured)  has been on the run from authorities for the past few months.

In a press conference this week, Mr Yunes Linares announced they had uncovered serious medical fraud which is now under thorough investigation:

"We have tests on a medication given to children, a paediatric chemotherapy that wasn't really a medication, it was an inert substance, practically distilled water. This really seems to us a brutal crime, an attempt against the lives of the children. We're finishing our analysis and, at the appropriate time, we'll be filing legal complaints."

He also alleges that the HIV detection tests were inadequate and some drugs outdated. Mexican Senator Roberto Gil Zuart spoke out yesterday saying:

"It is absolutely inhuman, criminal"