Several people detained by police as suicide pod is used for the first time

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing

Police in Switzerland have detained 'several people' after a controversial 'suicide pod' was used for the first time.

The Sarco 'suicide pod' is designed to allow someone who wishes to die by euthanasia to do so as comfortably as possible, and has proven controversial since its announcement.

The pod has never been used before, and works by sealing someone inside.

When they are ready, they can then press a button which will flood the chamber with nitrogen gas.

This is supposed to cause someone to fall asleep and pass away as a result of suffocation within a few minutes.

Schaffhausen Police have since said in a statement: "The public prosecutor's office of the canton of Schaffhausen has opened criminal proceedings against several persons for incitement and aiding and abetting suicide (Article 115 of the Swiss Criminal Code) and several persons have been placed in police custody.

The 'suicide pod' (Exit International)

"The public prosecutor's office of the canton of Schaffhausen was informed on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 4:40 p.m. by a law firm that an assisted suicide with the Sarco capsule had taken place in the afternoon at a forest hut in Merishausen.

"As a result, the Schaffhausen police, including the forensic emergency service, and the public prosecutor's office of the canton of Schaffhausen went to the scene of the crime.

"In addition, specialists from the Forensic Institute Zurich (FOR) and the Institute of Legal Medicine Zurich (IRMZ) were called in.

"The Sarco suicide capsule was secured and the deceased person was taken to the IRMZ for an autopsy.

"In addition, several people in the Merishausen area were taken into police custody. The public prosecutor's office is also investigating the violation of other criminal offenses.

"Based on official and investigative secrecy, no further information will be provided at this time. The presumption of innocence applies."

The suicide pod drew a lot of backlash following its announcement (Exit International)

The pod is manufactured by 3D-printing, and recently an elderly British couple became the first to sign up for a double 'suicide pod' following wife Christine Scott's dementia diagnosis.

The pod was designed by Dr Philip Nitschke, who has campaigned for people's right to die when they choose and to 'de-medicalise the process of dying', according to an interview published by assisted dying charity Exit International, as per the BBC.

Nitschke has also spoken about further removing restrictions around assisted dying: "We want to remove any kind of psychiatric review from the process and allow the individual to control the method themselves."

UNILAD has reached out to Philip Nitschke and The Last Resort for comment.

If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.