ZURICH − After the inaugural use of a controversial capsule designed for assisted suicide, Swiss authorities have taken multiple individuals into custody, according to reports on Tuesday.

In the northern canton of Schaffhausen, which borders Germany, police confirmed that the “Sarco” capsule was activated in the forested area near Merishausen on Monday.

Authorities have initiated criminal investigations against several individuals for “encouraging, aiding, and being complicit in suicide.” While details about the individuals and the deceased remain undisclosed, multiple arrests have been confirmed.

According to a representative from The Last Resort, the organization behind the capsule, the individual who died was a 64-year-old woman from the U.S. suffering from a severely weakened immune system.

Florian Willet, co-president of The Last Resort, was among four people apprehended, including a Dutch journalist and two Swiss nationals, per the organization’s spokesperson. Willet was the sole person present with the woman at the time of her passing.

The Last Resort’s statement included Willet’s description of the woman’s death as “calm, swift, and dignified.”

The spokesperson confirmed that the woman underwent psychiatric assessment before her decision to end her life.

Officials from the Schaffhausen prosecutor’s office refrained from providing additional information or confirming the number of detainees.

The “Sarco” capsule, designed with smooth, aerodynamic shapes, causes death by releasing nitrogen gas, significantly reducing oxygen levels inside. This device was created by Philip Nitschke, an Australian doctor known for his advocacy of assisted suicide since the 1990s.

Switzerland has gained recognition as a destination for those seeking assisted suicide, thanks to its permissive laws. The Last Resort maintains that it sought legal advice affirming the capsule’s viability.

Attention surrounding this capsule has resulted in significant media coverage and widespread debate among officials regarding its legal approval.

The Swiss health minister, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, stated on Monday that the capsule does not conform to existing product safety regulations and that its nitrogen use is legally questionable.

If you or someone you know is feeling distressed or in crisis, help is available. Please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.