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An ambulance worker who allegedly killed people to make money from a funeral parlour linked to the mafia has been arrested.

The man has been charged with voluntary homicide in Sicily after he allegedly injected air into the veins of three terminally ill patients as they were being transported back to their homes in Biancavilla.

This resulted in them dying of an embolism (a blockage), and the man is thought to have been paid €300 (£265) for each of the corpses.

It has been dubbed as the "ambulances of death" scandal in Italian media.

The 42-year-old suspect is believed to have recommended a funeral parlour linked to the Sicilian mafia to grieving families so he could get a commission, the BBC reports.

(Image: DeAgostini)

He was arrested after a 'reformed mafia member' provided information to authorities in Catania, as well as an investigative TV show.

It is believed the scheme may have been operating since 2012.

There are fears there could have been other victims.

(Image: Science Photo Library RF)

Investigating officers have probed dozens of deaths in Biancavilla, a small inland town.

Of those, 12 have been deemed 'meaningful' and three have been put forward to a magistrate.