In the aftermath of the devastating explosions in Lebanon, questions have arisen about the safety and security of communication devices such as pagers and hand-held radios. Sky News’ Data and Forensics team delved into the issue by speaking to experts to understand how these seemingly harmless devices could be turned into deadly explosives.
The pagers that exploded in Lebanon were identified as the AR-924 model with Gold Apollo branding, consistent with a specific type of pager manufactured by a Taiwan-based company. However, the company distanced itself from the devices, claiming they were made under license in Budapest by a firm called BAC Consulting. The CEO of BAC Consulting, Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, denied involvement in the manufacturing of the pagers, stating that they were merely intermediaries in the process.
On the other hand, the brand of walkie-talkies linked to the blasts was discontinued by the Japanese maker, Icom, a decade ago. The company stated that it would have been impossible to lace the devices with explosives during manufacturing. Despite these claims, the investigation into how these devices were turned into bombs continues.
Experts shed light on the process of transforming these communication devices into explosives, highlighting the need for only a small amount of explosive material to cause significant harm. Dr. Eyal Pinko, a former Israeli navy and intelligence operative, emphasized that just a gram or two of explosive material could have catastrophic effects on individuals. The exact explosive used in the blasts is still under investigation, with possibilities including PETN, TNT, or other equivalents.
Professor Andrea Sella of University College London explained how explosives could have been mixed with other components to create a plastic explosive, which could then be concealed within the pagers. Dr. Pinko suggested that the explosives could have been placed in the battery, a detonating device, or hidden elsewhere within the pager.
To remotely detonate the explosives within the pagers, a detonator would have been added to the devices. Carl Robson, a bomb disposal expert, explained that the detonator, when initiated, could cause injury even without additional explosives. The battery of the pager served as the power source to activate the detonator, triggered by a specific message sent to the device.
The message sent to the pager acted as a switch, heating the explosive material to the required energy level for detonation. Sean Moorhouse, a former British Army officer, likened the process to redirecting the charge meant for the pager’s beeper to the detonator. The experts highlighted the precision and speed at which the explosives could be detonated, causing immediate and devastating effects.
The investigation into the explosions revealed a consistent method used to cause the blasts across different devices. The size of the blasts captured on camera indicated a uniform amount of explosives used, with the possibility of some radios containing even more explosives. The potential for larger blasts from radios raised concerns about the extent of damage they could cause in crowded places.
The tragic events in Lebanon resulted in significant loss of life and injuries, with different communication devices playing a role in the severity of the outcomes. Hand-held radios, more commonly used in crowded areas, were linked to a higher death toll compared to pagers carried at all times. The investigation into the explosions continues as authorities work to understand the full extent of the incident.
As the world grapples with the implications of communication devices being turned into explosives, the importance of stringent security measures and oversight in manufacturing processes becomes evident. The need for vigilance and thorough investigations to prevent similar incidents in the future is paramount. The safety and security of communication devices must be a priority to protect individuals and communities from potential harm.