Deadly Wireless Device Explosions in Lebanon: Death Toll Rises as UN Calls for Investigation

Wireless Device Explosions Continue in Lebanon, Death Toll Rises

In a disturbing continuation of events, a radio device exploded in the city of Baalbek, Lebanon, marking the second day of wireless communications device explosions across the country. According to reports from The New York Times, the death toll has risen to 14, with hundreds more injured in this latest wave of incidents.

The Lebanese state media agency NNA attributes the explosions to various wireless devices, including walkie-talkies and fingerprint analysis equipment. The blasts have caused significant damage to vehicles and property, with fires breaking out in several locations, including a lithium battery store.

In a particularly harrowing incident, at least one device detonated during a funeral procession for victims of the previous day’s attacks. The explosion caused panic among mourners, prompting many to remove batteries from their cellphones as a precautionary measure.

These events follow Wednesday’s attacks involving exploding pagers, which primarily targeted Hezbollah members. Those initial blasts resulted in 12 fatalities, including two children, and injured nearly 3,000 people across Lebanon and Syria.

Media outlets, including CNN and Reuters, have reported that the pager explosions were the result of an operation conducted by Israel. However, Israeli officials have not directly commented on these allegations.

Investigations reveal that the walkie-talkies involved in the latest incidents were reportedly purchased months ago, around the same time as the booby-trapped pagers. The pagers bore the brand of a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo, whose CEO has denied manufacturing the devices purchased by Hezbollah. It has been determined that BAC, a distributor in Hungary, produced the pagers under license.

The Hungarian government has stated that the pagers were not manufactured in Hungary and that BAC is merely a trading intermediary without a manufacturing site in the country.

In response to these events, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has condemned the simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, emphasizing that such actions violate international human rights and humanitarian law. Türk has called for an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosions and accountability for those responsible.

As the situation continues to develop, authorities are urging citizens to exercise caution with wireless devices and to report any suspicious activity immediately.