The controversial Sarco suicide capsule has reportedly been used for the first time in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, sparking significant legal and ethical debates.

The capsule, which allows individuals to end their lives using nitrogen, was found with a deceased person inside, leading to arrests and an investigation by the Schaffhausen prosecutor's office.

Swiss Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has declared the device non-compliant with both product safety and chemical laws, emphasizing that it should not be marketed.

Despite these legal challenges, the organization behind Sarco, The Last Resort, remains undeterred, having previously claimed no legal barriers exist for its use.

The incident has intensified discussions around assisted suicide and the potential for 'suicide tourism' in Switzerland, with calls for clearer guidelines from the federal government.