The morbid suicide pod that claimed its first victim on Monday in Switzerland, doled out chilling words before she pressed the button. The Sarco suicide pod reportedly told the 64-year-old American woman to press the button if she wanted to die.&nbsp;

“If you want to die, press this button,” the machine said, as reported by AFP.&nbsp;

Named Sarco, short for “sarcophagus", the suicide pod is a 3D-printed chamber in which people can die within minutes after going ahead with the grave act. It has been termed the "Tesla of euthanasia"&nbsp;

The chamber is filled with nitrogen gas, triggering the user’s oxygen levels to drop to deadly levels. However, the person can exit it using an emergency button.

The woman's death led to several arrests since the machine had not received official approval for use. The assisted suicide took place in a forest cabin in Merishausen and was witnessed by only one person, Florian Willet, the co-president of assisted-suicide group Exit International’s Swiss affiliate, the Last Resort.

He described the death as “peaceful, fast and dignified,” the organisation said.

The woman was suffering from “severe immune compromise,” Exit International said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swiss-authorities-open-probe-make-arrests-after-woman-dies-in-suicide-capsule-761660">Swiss authorities open probe, make arrests after woman dies in ‘suicide capsule’</a>

Those arrested are under investigation for alleged incitement and accessory to suicide. A photographer with the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant was among those arrested, the outlet said Tuesday.

<h2>'Pleased the Sarco performed exactly as intended'</h2>

After the woman's death, Exit International director Dr. Philip Nitschke said that he was “pleased that the Sarco had performed exactly as it had been designed… to provide an elective, non-drug, peaceful death at the time of the person’s choosing.”

Switzerland is one of the few countries that allows people to legally end their lives through assisted suicide. As per the law, the person must take their life without “external assistance” from a doctor, but others can help provided they do not do so for a “self-serving motive.”

However, euthanasia, which involves a medical professional such as a doctor, is prohibited in Switzerland. The Sarco suicide pod faces grim chances of getting approval as Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider suggested Monday that it might never gain legal status.

“It does not fulfil the demands of the product safety law, and as such, must not be brought into circulation,” she said.

The morbid suicide pod that claimed its first victim on Monday in Switzerland, doled out chilling words before she pressed the button. The Sarco suicide pod reportedly told the 64-year-old American woman to press the button if she wanted to die.

The morbid suicide pod that claimed its first victim on Monday in Switzerland, doled out chilling words before she pressed the button. The Sarco suicide pod reportedly told the 64-year-old American woman to press the button if she wanted to die. “If you want to die, press this button,” the machine said, as reported by AFP. Named Sarco, short for “sarcophagus", the suicide pod is a 3D-printed chamber in which people can die within minutes after going ahead with the grave act. It has been termed the "Tesla of euthanasia" The chamber is filled with nitrogen gas, triggering the user’s oxygen levels to drop to deadly levels. However, the person can exit it using an emergency button. The woman's death led to several arrests since the machine had not received official approval for use. The assisted suicide took place in a forest cabin in Merishausen and was witnessed by only one person, Florian Willet, the co-president of assisted-suicide group Exit International’s Swiss affiliate, the Last Resort. He described the death as “peaceful, fast and dignified,” the organisation said. The woman was suffering from “severe immune compromise,” Exit International said. Also Read: Swiss authorities open probe, make arrests after woman dies in ‘suicide capsule’ Those arrested are under investigation for alleged incitement and accessory to suicide. A photographer with the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant was among those arrested, the outlet said Tuesday. 'Pleased the Sarco performed exactly as intended' After the woman's death, Exit International director Dr. Philip Nitschke said that he was “pleased that the Sarco had performed exactly as it had been designed… to provide an elective, non-drug, peaceful death at the time of the person’s choosing.” Switzerland is one of the few countries that allows people to legally end their lives through assisted suicide. As per the law, the person must take their life without “external assistance” from a doctor, but others can help provided they do not do so for a “self-serving motive.” However, euthanasia, which involves a medical professional such as a doctor, is prohibited in Switzerland. The Sarco suicide pod faces grim chances of getting approval as Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider suggested Monday that it might never gain legal status. “It does not fulfil the demands of the product safety law, and as such, must not be brought into circulation,” she said.

'If you want to...': 8 chilling words doled out by suicide pod to American woman

Swiss authorities have opened an investigation after a woman reportedly died by assisted suicide in a so-called suicide capsule, invented by an Australian citizen. The capsule was apparently used for the first time on Monday afternoon (Sep 23) in a forest close to the German border in the Swiss town of Merishausen. The 64-year-old woman was an American citizen, who made a statement to her lawyers before her death that she was ending her life on her own wish and she had the support of her two sons.

The woman said she was embracing death after being diagnosed with a serious condition that caused her severe pain. According to her lawyer Fiona Stewart, the woman had been examined by a psychiatrist beforehand who had deemed her to be mentally fit.

<h2>Police make arrests</h2>

Swiss police said they have arrested several people in connection with the woman’s suspected assisted suicide. A spokesperson for the police in the canton of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland said they were also investigating whether other criminal offences had been committed.

At the time of the woman’s death, a German scientist named Florian Willet was present at the scene. Willet is one of the leading members of the Last Resort, an organisation responsible for the capsule and the Swiss arm of Exit International, a nonprofit organisation that lobbies for the legalisation of assisted suicide.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwitu6-cjtyIAxUUR2wGHTwAEXUQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/switzerland-offering-58000-to-fish-out-ammunition-from-lakes-751456" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/switzerland-offering-58000-to-fish-out-ammunition-from-lakes-751456&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitu6-cjtyIAxUUR2wGHTwAEXUQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE">Switzerland offering $58,000 to fish out ammunition from lakes</a>

It was not clear whether Willet is among those who were detained by the authorities.

Willet later said the woman’s death has been “peaceful, quick and dignified”.

Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the suicide capsule, said on X that it had been “an idyllic, peaceful death in a Swiss forest”.

<h2>Assisted suicide legal in Switzerland</h2>

Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, but with some conditions. The law allows the practice as long as the individual takes his or her life with no “external assistance” and the person who is helping the individual die does so without any “self-serving motive”.

Get help &amp; support for suicide

If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. You can contact local authorities and also encourage the person to contact a&nbsp;suicide prevention hotline.&nbsp;WION does not make any recommendations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Swiss authorities have opened an investigation after a woman reportedly died by assisted suicide in a so-called suicide capsule, invented by an Australian citizen.

Swiss authorities have opened an investigation after a woman reportedly died by assisted suicide in a so-called suicide capsule, invented by an Australian citizen. The capsule was apparently used for the first time on Monday afternoon (Sep 23) in a forest close to the German border in the Swiss town of Merishausen. The 64-year-old woman was an American citizen, who made a statement to her lawyers before her death that she was ending her life on her own wish and she had the support of her two sons. The woman said she was embracing death after being diagnosed with a serious condition that caused her severe pain. According to her lawyer Fiona Stewart, the woman had been examined by a psychiatrist beforehand who had deemed her to be mentally fit. Police make arrests Swiss police said they have arrested several people in connection with the woman’s suspected assisted suicide. A spokesperson for the police in the canton of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland said they were also investigating whether other criminal offences had been committed. At the time of the woman’s death, a German scientist named Florian Willet was present at the scene. Willet is one of the leading members of the Last Resort, an organisation responsible for the capsule and the Swiss arm of Exit International, a nonprofit organisation that lobbies for the legalisation of assisted suicide. Also read: Switzerland offering $58,000 to fish out ammunition from lakes It was not clear whether Willet is among those who were detained by the authorities. Willet later said the woman’s death has been “peaceful, quick and dignified”. Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the suicide capsule, said on X that it had been “an idyllic, peaceful death in a Swiss forest”. Assisted suicide legal in Switzerland Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, but with some conditions. The law allows the practice as long as the individual takes his or her life with no “external assistance” and the person who is helping the individual die does so without any “self-serving motive”. Get help & support for suicide If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. You can contact local authorities and also encourage the person to contact a suicide prevention hotline. WION does not make any recommendations. (With inputs from agencies)

Swiss authorities open probe, make arrests after woman dies in ‘suicide capsule’

The prosecutors in Switzerland took a landmark decision of banning a 'death capsule' which has been designed for carrying out assisted suicides before it was about to be used for the first time.&nbsp;

The machine called Sarco - a short form of the sarcophagus - allows euthanasia patients sitting inside it to press a button and die 'within seconds', as per the company Exit Switzerland, which created it.

The machine has been dubbed the 'Tesla of euthanasia' and it gets filled with nitrogen which leaves the occupant gasping for oxygen and makes him/her unconscious before death.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heartbreaking-reason-why-a-29-year-old-dutch-woman-chose-assisted-suicide-728210">Heartbreaking reason a 29-year-old Dutch woman chose assisted suicide</a>

Dr Philip Nitschke, a vocal&nbsp;advocate for&nbsp;assisted dying, created the machine&nbsp;and claims that it will help its users to die swiftly and painlessly.

<h2>What prosecutors said about the 'death pod'</h2>

The prosecutors in Switzerland's Schaffhausen Canton said anyone caught assisting someone in using the pods can face nearly five years of imprisonment, as reported by Swiss media.

Public Prosecutor Peter Sticher hinted at "serious consequences" for Nitschke for "inducement and aiding and abetting suicide for selfish reasons".

As quoted by Swiss media, Sticher said, "There is no reliable information about the method of killing. [It is] completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process."

The ban was imposed after Dr Nitschke said on June 10 that Sarco was about to be deployed in Switzerland "in the next few weeks."

"The machine can be towed anywhere for the death. It can be in an idyllic outdoor setting or on the premises of an assisted suicide organisation, for example," the&nbsp;advocate for assisted dying&nbsp;added.

<h2>How does this suicide capsule work?</h2>

Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Nitschke explained the working of his&nbsp;machine. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Female suicide bombers of Boko Haram behind attacks?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/female-suicide-bombers-of-boko-haram-behind-attacks-739499/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He said, "The person will climb into the machine, they will be asked three questions and they will answer verbally - 'Who are you?', 'Where are you?' and 'Do you know what happens if you press the button?'"

"And if they answer those questions verbally, the software then switches the power on so that the button can then be pressed. And if they press the button they will die very quickly," Dr Nitschke explained.

"When you climb into Sarco the oxygen level is 21 per cent but after you press the button it takes 30 seconds for the oxygen to drop to less than 1 per cent," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

The prosecutors in Switzerland took a landmark decision of banning a 'death capsule' which has been designed for carrying out assisted suicides before it was about to be used for the first time.

The prosecutors in Switzerland took a landmark decision of banning a 'death capsule' which has been designed for carrying out assisted suicides before it was about to be used for the first time. The machine called Sarco - a short form of the sarcophagus - allows euthanasia patients sitting inside it to press a button and die 'within seconds', as per the company Exit Switzerland, which created it. The machine has been dubbed the 'Tesla of euthanasia' and it gets filled with nitrogen which leaves the occupant gasping for oxygen and makes him/her unconscious before death. Also Read: Heartbreaking reason a 29-year-old Dutch woman chose assisted suicide Dr Philip Nitschke, a vocal advocate for assisted dying, created the machine and claims that it will help its users to die swiftly and painlessly. What prosecutors said about the 'death pod' The prosecutors in Switzerland's Schaffhausen Canton said anyone caught assisting someone in using the pods can face nearly five years of imprisonment, as reported by Swiss media. Public Prosecutor Peter Sticher hinted at "serious consequences" for Nitschke for "inducement and aiding and abetting suicide for selfish reasons". As quoted by Swiss media, Sticher said, "There is no reliable information about the method of killing. [It is] completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process." The ban was imposed after Dr Nitschke said on June 10 that Sarco was about to be deployed in Switzerland "in the next few weeks." "The machine can be towed anywhere for the death. It can be in an idyllic outdoor setting or on the premises of an assisted suicide organisation, for example," the advocate for assisted dying added. How does this suicide capsule work? Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Nitschke explained the working of his machine. Watch: Female suicide bombers of Boko Haram behind attacks? He said, "The person will climb into the machine, they will be asked three questions and they will answer verbally - 'Who are you?', 'Where are you?' and 'Do you know what happens if you press the button?'" "And if they answer those questions verbally, the software then switches the power on so that the button can then be pressed. And if they press the button they will die very quickly," Dr Nitschke explained. "When you climb into Sarco the oxygen level is 21 per cent but after you press the button it takes 30 seconds for the oxygen to drop to less than 1 per cent," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Switzerland bans 'suicide capsule' for assisted dying. Here's how it can kill people 'in seconds'

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