First person dies using Switzerland's new suicide pod

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Swiss police have made multiple arrests following the reported use of a controversial "suicide pod," marking what appears to be the first case of its kind.

Authorities in Schaffhausen detained several individuals on suspicion of inciting, aiding, and abetting suicide after a woman used the Sarco pod to end her life.

The Sarco pod, designed by Australian euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke, allows users to activate the process themselves without medical supervision.

The pod fills with nitrogen, causing oxygen levels to drop rapidly, leading to death within minutes. Supporters claim it offers a peaceful end, but the device has sparked intense debate.

Inventor of the pod, Dr Philip Nitschke told Dutch media, "It looked exactly as we expected it to look. My guess is that she lost consciousness within two minutes and that she died after five minutes,

"We saw sudden, small contractions and movements of the muscles in her arms, but she was probably already unconscious by then."

The user is thought to be a mother-of-two from America's mid-west, who had been enduring a 'very serious illness' with 'severe pain'.

Police attended the scene after being notified of her death, and they arrested several people thereafter.

While assisted suicide is legal under strict conditions in Switzerland, the Sarco pod has faced significant opposition.

Critics argue that its sleek, modern design glamorises suicide and bypasses critical medical safeguards. The ability to 3D-print and assemble the device at home further raises concerns about unregulated use.

Police recovered the device and the woman's body from a remote forest hut near Merishausen.

Dr Nitschke, who has been at the centre of assisted suicide debates for years, defends the Sarco pod as a step towards personal autonomy, allowing individuals to control their death without relying on medical professionals or drugs.

However, opponents warn of the dangers of normalising and simplifying the act of suicide, potentially making vulnerable individuals more susceptible to taking their own lives.

Though assisted suicide is illegal in most countries, Switzerland's permissive laws continue to attract those seeking to end their lives.

This case has raised fresh concerns about the ethical and moral implications of devices like the Sarco pod.