Icom-Labeled Walkie-Talkie Batteries in Lebanon Attack Contained Explosives

Explosive-laden batteries integrated into walkie-talkies linked to Hezbollah detonated across Lebanon last week, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 450. According to a Lebanese source familiar with the device components, the batteries contained PETN, a highly explosive compound that was cleverly concealed, making detection difficult, Reuters reported.

The explosions occurred in hundreds of presumably counterfeit walkie-talkies branded as Icom IC-V82, a model discontinued by the Osaka-based company in 2014. Icom confirmed that it has not produced these devices, or the batteries required to operate them, for over a decade. Despite Icom's efforts to prevent counterfeiting through hologram seals and authorized distributors, photos and videos of the aftermath show labels without these markers, reinforcing concerns about the devices' authenticity, according to BBC News.

Yoshiki Enomoto, Icom’s general manager for security and trade, confirmed that while the company is still investigating the source of the batteries, it’s highly probable that older walkie-talkies had been retrofitted with explosive batteries. This incident highlights ongoing security risks associated with counterfeit batteries, Washington Post reported.

Ray Novak, a senior sales manager at Icom America, echoed these concerns. He emphasized that counterfeit versions of Icom’s radios are easily available online, adding that the company has received numerous calls in the wake of the explosion. “I can guarantee you they were not our products,” Novak told AP News. He demonstrated how knockoff devices with modified batteries have been proliferating in unauthorized markets.

Related:NYC E-Bike Battery Fires Prompt Calls for National Legislation

Supply chain vulnerabilities

The inclusion of PETN in counterfeit battery packs is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in battery supply chains. While the battery industry has made strides in safety standards, counterfeit products continue to pose a threat to both consumer safety and national security. For Hezbollah, older technologies such as two-way radios were seen as more secure compared to easily compromised cellphones, but this incident underscores how even those systems can be manipulated for malicious purposes.

With Israel accused of being behind the attacks—though it has not officially claimed responsibility—the incident has raised alarms for manufacturers and distributors, especially those with operations in high-risk regions. The precise method of integrating explosive material into the walkie-talkie batteries remains unclear, though Lebanese sources confirmed explosions occurred even when the battery packs were detached, Reuters reported.

Related:Why First-Responders Must Get Li-ion Battery Safety Training

Growing danger of counterfeit batteries

The issue of counterfeit batteries and electronics is not limited to high-profile incidents like this one. Globally, counterfeit batteries are a growing problem, especially in poorer regions where consumers unknowingly purchase unsafe products. These counterfeit batteries, often made with substandard materials, can overheat, catch fire, or even explode due to manufacturing defects. Deliberate sabotage isn't a requirement for a counterfeit battery to prove deadly.

Poorer regions in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are particularly vulnerable to these counterfeit products due to limited market regulation and enforcement. Counterfeit goods often flood markets where low-cost alternatives are in high demand. Reports have shown that counterfeit mobile phone batteries, for example, have caused fires and explosions, sometimes leading to fatal injuries. Similar cases have been documented in countries where counterfeit goods make up a significant portion of electronics sales.

The risks extend beyond just physical harm. These substandard products often perform poorly and wear out faster than genuine counterparts, creating an ongoing cycle of waste and environmental damage. For manufacturers, counterfeit products erode brand trust and lead to significant financial losses.

The battery industry has strong motivation to stay vigilant, ensuring that consumers, particularly in vulnerable regions, have access to authentic, safe products through improved enforcement, education, and stricter oversight of supply chains. Lives, as well as reputations, are at stake—even when deliberate and deadly sabotage is not involved.