Explosion Tragedy in Lebanon Linked to Taiwanese Devices
A devastating series of explosions in Lebanon on September 17 has left 37 people dead and over 3,250 injured, including women and children. The blasts, which targeted Pager and ICOM wireless communication devices, have been attributed to Hezbollah officials, who are blaming Israel for the attacks. The devices involved in this tragic incident have drawn international scrutiny, particularly towards Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, which has been linked to the manufacturing of the pagers used in the explosions. According to reports, Gold Apollo stated that the specific model used was manufactured by BAC Consulting, a Budapest-based company that holds a licensing agreement with Gold Apollo.
Investigations Underway in Taiwan and Hungary
In the wake of the explosions, both Taiwanese and Hungarian authorities have initiated investigations. Hsu Ching-kuang, the chairman of Gold Apollo, was questioned by Taiwanese prosecutors regarding the incident but was released without charges. The Taiwanese government has firmly stated that the pagers exported to Lebanon are made of low-end components and are incapable of exploding. Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei emphasized that Gold Apollo has exported 260,000 pagers in the past two years without any incidents, asserting that the devices used in Lebanon were not produced in Taiwan. Meanwhile, BAC Consulting's CEO, Cristiana Barsoni Arcidiaconu, has been interrogated by Hungarian intelligence services, who confirmed that the pagers involved in the explosions did not originate from Hungary.
International Implications and Responses
The international ramifications of the explosion incident have raised significant concerns. The Hungarian government clarified that BAC Consulting operates as a commercial brokerage without manufacturing capabilities in Hungary, reinforcing that the pagers used in Lebanon were not made there. The ongoing investigations are crucial to understanding the supply chain and the possible involvement of external parties in the explosions. As the situation unfolds, both Taiwan and Hungary are cooperating with international agencies to shed light on the events leading up to this tragic incident.
