About 80 children have died in an Eastern Cape district because of unsafe tap water - but authorities have failed to take any action, the Daily Dispatch Online reported yesterday.

About 80 children have died in an Eastern Cape district because of unsafe tap water - but authorities have failed to take any action, the Daily Dispatch Online reported yesterday.

Despite evidence of a lethal epidemic in the Ukhahlamba municipality, which includes Barkly East, Maclear, Sterkspruit and Elliot, authorities had not yet issued a public warning.

An official health report indicated there had been a breakdown in a water purification works in October last year and called for urgent action, but no action has been taken, the report said.

The babies died from diarrhoea and other complications.

A hospital manager, who asked not be named, said they "had informed" the municipality, but nothing was done until 15 deaths were reported. - Sapa