Japan Firm Denies Involvement in Deadly Walkie-Talkie Explosions in Lebanon

A Japanese telecommunications company, Icom, has distanced itself from the deadly explosions in Lebanon involving walkie-talkies bearing its logo. The blasts, which killed at least 20 people and injured 450 others, reportedly involved IC-V82 transceivers, a model produced by Icom until 2014. The devices, some of which were allegedly used by Hezbollah, exploded across Lebanon, raising concerns about counterfeit products in circulation. Icom, based in Osaka, confirmed that it stopped producing and exporting IC-V82 radios a decade ago. The company also stated that the production of the necessary batteries had ceased, and that the radios involved in the explosions lacked a hologram seal used to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits. ⚡ Icom Denies Connection to Explosions In a statement, Icom clarified that while the IC-V82 model had been produced and exported to the Middle East between 2004 and 2014, no devices had been shipped since its discontinuation. The company suggested that the radios involved in the blasts were likely counterfeit products. An Icom sales executive in the U.S. subsidiary reiterated this point, explaining that counterfeit versions of the IC-V82 are easily available online. Despite this, the BBC found IC-V82s for sale in online marketplaces within seconds, highlighting the challenge of tracing the origin of the compromised devices.

⚡ Hezbollah's Alleged Involvement and Unclear Supply Chain According to reports, the radios were purchased by Hezbollah around five months ago. Lebanon's Annahar newspaper also described the devices as old handsets, suggesting that they may have been part of outdated stock. Security sources speaking to Reuters said that Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, had acquired the walkie-talkies, though it remains unclear at which point in the supply chain the devices were tampered with. The question of whether the radios were legitimate Icom products or counterfeits remains unresolved, adding further complexity to the investigation. ⚡ Similar Explosions Involving Taiwanese Firm This incident follows a similar explosion earlier in the week involving Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo. Thousands of exploding pagers linked to the company killed 12 people and injured over 2,000. Gold Apollo's founder, Hsu Ching-Kuang, denied any involvement in the bombing, claiming that his company's trademark had been licensed to a Hungarian firm, BAC Consulting, which has yet to respond to inquiries. BBC Verify investigated BAC Consulting and discovered that the company, registered in Budapest, has a single shareholder and shares its office with 13 other companies. The CEO of BAC, Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono, denied any knowledge of the explosion, stating, “I don’t make the pagers. I am just the intermediate.”

⚡ Growing Concern over Counterfeit Electronics Icom’s predicament highlights the broader issue of counterfeit electronics flooding the market. Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and China, is a global hub for telecommunications and electronics manufacturing, with companies like Icom regarded as leaders in quality. However, counterfeit goods pose a growing risk, not just for users, but for public safety as this case demonstrates. The tragic events in Lebanon raise serious questions about counterfeit products and their potential for harm, with international attention now focused on ensuring accountability within global supply chains.