Two people have died and more than a dozen others have been left in hospital after eating contaminated sausage sandwiches.

A probe into an outbreak of botulism has now been launched following the deaths.

The incident occurred close to Diamante in Calabria, where customers purchased paninis containing grilled sausages and turnip greens from a food truck.

The deceased have been identified as Luigi di Sarno, a 52-year-old artist, and 45-year-old Tamara D'Acunto.

Post-mortem examinations are scheduled for this week.

All those affected developed symptoms within one to two days of consuming the sandwiches.

The deceased have been identified as Luigi di Sarno, a 52-year-old artist, and 45-year-old Tamara D'Acunto

Those in hospital include two teenagers.

The victims had visited the food truck and ordered panini containing grilled sausages and "cime di rapa", a summer vegetable also known as friarielli which is widely enjoyed in Italy.

Di Sarno's sister revealed that her brother had been discharged from hospital whilst still experiencing symptoms, before subsequently passing away.

"Toxic botulism is highly potent," said Enrico Di Rosa, the president of the Italian Society of Workplace Hygiene.

"Just a very small amount is enough to cause serious harm, as we have seen."

The turnip greens were said to have been stored in olive oil inside glass jars or containers, which may have contributed to the contamination.

A probe into a botulism outbreak has been launched over the sausage and turnip green sandwiches (file photo)

Now, nine individuals face investigation by authorities: the food truck proprietor, three staff members from the firm that allegedly produced the sandwiches, and five medical professionals who treated patients at two hospitals near Cosenza.

The doctors face accusations of failing to diagnose the condition quickly enough.

Giuseppe Santonocito, the 33-year-old food truck owner, remains "devastated" by the fatalities, according to his lawyer Francesco Liserre.

"He is psychologically devastated," Liserre said.

"He has worked for around nine years in the food sector and he is well respected. He is convinced that the contamination was already in the products that he served."

Santonocito purchased the supplies in late July and has held onto the receipts as evidence, his lawyer confirmed.

The lawyer explained that containers were opened as required and typically yielded six or seven sandwiches, ensuring they were used quickly.

This represents the second lethal botulism case in Italy within days.

A 38-year-old woman perished in late July after eating contaminated guacamole at a Sardinian festival, with seven others suffering severe food poisoning.

"Following two major clusters of botulinum intoxication that occurred in recent weeks in Sardinia and Calabria, the Department of Prevention, Research and Health Emergencies of the Ministry of Health immediately activated all the health protocols," Italy's Health Ministry said.