In a shocking incident, walkie-talkies that reportedly bore the logo of a prominent Japanese manufacturer exploded across Lebanon, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 20 lives and hundreds of injuries. The devices, identified as IC-V82 transceivers produced by Icom, have been at the center of this alarming event.
Icom’s Response and Clarification
In a formal statement, Icom, the Osaka-based telecommunications firm, clarified that it has not manufactured or shipped the IC-V82 transceivers since October 2014. The company emphasized that it discontinued production a decade ago and has halted the supply of the necessary batteries as well. Icom also mentioned that a hologram seal for counterfeit detection was not attached to the exploded devices, making it difficult to ascertain their authenticity.
The Broader Context of Explosions
This incident marks the second occurrence involving an Asian company linked to explosions in Lebanon within the week. Previously, Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo faced similar allegations concerning malfunctioning pagers that caused numerous fatalities.
Both incidents have raised concerns over counterfeit products infiltrating the market and the potential hazards they pose. As investigations continue, it is crucial to determine the origins of these dangerous devices and to enforce stricter controls against counterfeiting.
