Japanese firm says walkie talkies in Lebanon blasts were discontinued in 2014

The device in question, which requires batteries that were discontinued nearly a decade ago, has also been out of production since 2014, according to Icom. Additionally, the batteries used for the devices have also been discontinued.

In Short

• Japan's firm ICOM investigates reports of its devices exploding in Lebanon
• Devices involved have been out of production since 2014, says ICOM
• Explosions in Lebanon killed 20 and injured over 450 people

Japanese radio equipment maker ICOM Inc stated that it cannot confirm whether the walkie-talkies reportedly involved in explosions in Lebanon were shipped by the company. The device, which requires batteries that were discontinued nearly a decade ago, has been out of production since 2014, according to ICOM. Additionally, the batteries used for the devices have also been discontinued.

Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed ICOM announced on Thursday that it is investigating reports of two-way radio devices bearing its logo allegedly exploding in Lebanon. The company stated that it would provide updates on its website as more information becomes available, news agency Reuters reported.

ICOM, which manufactures all of its radios in Japan, has been unable to confirm whether the device in question was an official product, partly because the model has been discontinued for over a decade. The Osaka-based firm emphasised that all products for overseas markets are sold exclusively through authorised distributors and that exports are rigorously vetted in compliance with Japan's security trade control regulations.

The company has also previously warned about counterfeit versions of its devices, particularly older, discontinued models, circulating in the market.

Images of the exploded walkie-talkies showed labels marked with “ICOM” and “Made in Japan,” raising concerns over the origin of the devices involved.

In the second wave of explosions on Wednesday, 20 people were killed and more than 450 wounded in Hezbollah-controlled areas of Lebanon, according to local officials.

A source close to Hezbollah indicated that the devices used by its members detonated in their stronghold in Beirut, while state media reported similar blasts in the southern and eastern regions of the country, news agency Reuters reported.

This came a day after hundreds of pager devices used by Hezbollah detonated, resulting in the death of 12 people —including two children — and injuring around 2,800 others across Lebanon.

Although Israel is yet to comment on the back-to-back explosions, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a "new phase in the war".

Speaking to Israeli troops on Wednesday, Gallant said, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war, it requires courage, determination and perseverance.”