Explosions of Counterfeit Hezbollah Radios Kill 20 in Lebanon
At least 20 people were killed and more than 450 injured after walkie-talkies used by the militant group Hezbollah exploded in several locations across Lebanon. This incident occurred a day after a suspected Israeli strike targeted communication devices used by Hezbollah. Additionally, two consecutive explosions killed at least 32 civilians and wounded over 3,000.
These events threaten to further complicate peace efforts in a region already strained by the war in Gaza. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, 20 people were killed and over 450 were injured in the explosions on Wednesday. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have accused Israel of carrying out the attack on Tuesday. A sales executive from the U.S. branch of Japanese walkie-talkie manufacturer Icom, speaking to The Associated Press, said the radios that exploded in Lebanon appear to be counterfeit products, not manufactured by Icom.
Ray Novak, a senior sales manager for Icom America’s amateur radio division, confirmed in an interview at a trade show in Providence, Rhode Island, that the devices involved were not their products. According to Novak, Icom last produced the V82 two-way radio model more than 20 years ago, and it has long been out of production. The device gained popularity among amateur radio operators for social or emergency purposes, such as tracking tornadoes or hurricanes.
Meanwhile, firefighters in Lebanon responded to multiple explosions, which destroyed 60 homes, 15 cars, and dozens of motorcycles. Gold Apollo Co., the Taiwanese company whose brand appeared on the devices, stated that the pagers were manufactured by BAC Consulting Kft under a commercial agreement.
However, Hungary’s government has claimed that BAC is merely a “trading intermediary” with no manufacturing or business operations in the country. The chairman of Gold Apollo expressed surprise when BAC requested a license to produce his company’s AR-924 pager two years ago, but the company proceeded with what appeared to be a legitimate business deal.
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