ICOM radios explode in series in Lebanon, Japanese company investigates

"This morning, there were reports in the world media that two-way radios bearing the ICOM logo exploded in Lebanon," the ICOM group said in a statement. Images of the exploded radios showed the label reading "ICOM" and "made in Japan," according to AFP.

Previously, on September 18, a series of walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah forces suddenly exploded across southern Lebanon, just one day after thousands of pagers used by this force exploded.

Hezbollah radios explode across Lebanon

A series of device explosions over two consecutive days has killed at least 32 people and injured 3,250 others. A walkie-talkie explosion on September 18 alone killed 20 people and injured 450 in the suburbs of Beirut and Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

Lebanon said the radios used in the incident were discontinued IC-V82 models manufactured by a Japanese company. The Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications alleged that the IC-V82 radios were not supplied by a reputable dealer, were not licensed, and were not inspected by security agencies.

ICOM logo walkie-talkie explodes in Lebanon on September 18, 2024

In response, CNN quoted ICOM's announcement saying that the IC-V82 product had been discontinued about 10 years ago. All of the company's radios are manufactured in Wakayama Prefecture (Japan) under a strict management system to ensure that only company-specified components are used in the product.

ICOM stressed that products destined for overseas markets are sold only through authorized distributors and that it implements "strict export controls" based on government trade security regulations.

ICOM will continue to investigate information related to reports of two-way radio equipment from this company exploding in Lebanon and will publish updates on its website.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-dam-icom-no-hang-loat-o-li-bang-hang-nhat-ban-dieu-tra-185240919115801971.htm